Man spared jail after assaulting friend who disowned him for coming out as gay
A man who assaulted a former friend who disowned him after he came out as gay, has avoided time in jail.
Levi Sanders had known Edward Horne, 22, of Calne, since they were in school, but said he no longer wished to be friends, once Horne came out as gay.
After both going out drinking, the pair met on Sunday 2 March in a fast food restaurant. The court heard that Sanders made a string of homophobic remarks, after which Horne punched him once, knocking him unconscious as his head hit the floor.
Given that he had no previous convictions, and that he was provoked in the assault, Recorder Harry Martineau issued Horne with a one year community order and a £60 victim surcharge.
Horne said he was scared by Sanders’ behaviour when he made the homophobic comments.
Martineau commented on the fact that the incident was fuelled by alcohol on handing down the sentence.
