Manchester: Homophobic train passenger’s caution branded ‘lenient’
Two gay men who were subjected to an anti-gay rant on a train say the decision to give the perpetrator a caution was “too lenient”.
The incident, which was recorded on a mobile phone and uploaded on YouTube on Tuesday evening, happened last Sunday 4 November at Blackpool North Station and continued on board a train travelling to Manchester Airport.
26-year-old Alex Platt, from Stretford, told BBC Manchester: “We are disappointed he only received a caution and we posted the video on YouTube to raise awareness for homophobic abuse.
“It should be treated on a par with racial abuse.”
Mr Platt was travelling with his friend Tyrone Ruscoe, 22, of Levenshulme, when a man started shouting anti-gay abuse at them.
Although the individual was released with a police caution last Sunday, British Transport Police (BTP) say they are now reviewing the incident in light of “additional evidence”.
Supt Pete Mason of the British Transport Police (BTP) said:
“Homophobic hate crime is very rare on the north west’s rail network, but when it does happen it can be harrowing for those subjected to abuse and to those who witness it.”
