UK: Man who called victim ‘poof’ for pink Mohican in drunken attack avoids jail
Two men who carried out an attack inside a Somerset pub, in which one of the defendants called the victim a “poof” because he had a pink Mohican hairstyle, have avoided a prison sentence.
Ray John Escott hurled abusive insults towards Dean Hine because of his pink Mohican hairstyle, calling him “gay” and then accused Mr Dine’s friend, Paul Moran, of staring at him at pub in Yeovil, Somerset, on 18 May.
After wrestling the second male to the floor in the bar of the Great Lyde pub the defendant phoned his friend John Paul Byrne for help.
The Western Gazette reports Byrne then attacked both the victims, punching them in the face and leaving Mr Moran lying on the floor unconscious and covered in blood with his front tooth knocked out.
In a previous hearing, prosecutor Emma Chetland said that Escott had called Mr Hine “a poofter and gay because he had a pink Mohican hairstyle
Byrne was sentenced to a 24 week suspended prison sentence. A 12 month community order was also imposed during which he must comply with requirements for supervision and to attend an alcohol programme with the probation service. He was also ordered to pay Mr Moran £1,750 compensation and Mr Hine £250.
Escott was fined £350 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Moran, £200 costs and a £35 victim surcharge.
