Two teenagers jailed over ‘violent and unprovoked’ homophobic attack
Two teenagers have been jailed over a shocking homophobic attack on two gay men.
18-year-old Gage Vye-Parminter and 19-year-old Matthew Howes were sentenced to five years and four months in a young offender institution today at Brighton Crown Court.
The pair were found guilty over a homophobic attack on Brighton seafront on May 2 year.
The victims, a 22 and 24-year-old man, said the pair followed them along the seafront shouting homophobic insults before their shocking attack.
The 22-year old man sustained fractured eye sockets, fractured cheekbones and a fracture to his nose.
The victims were both treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Detective Constable Sarah Townsend said: “This was a violent and unprovoked homophobic attack on two men who were singled out for their sexual orientation.
“This sentence sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their race, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation.
“I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate crime to report such behaviour and violence to the police.”
