Police seek man after homophobic tirade forces gay couple to flee train
British Transport Police are looking to speak with a man in connection with a homophobic incident that forced his victims to flee a train.
The two men had been travelling on the service between Shoeburyness in Essex and London Fenchurch Street on May 7 when the incident took place.
Police say that a man approached the two men at around 7:40 PM and subjected them to a verbal homophobic tirade.
Police are seeking to speak with this man (British Transport Police)
The man continued to mock the couple, making anti-gay remarks before rubbing one of the victim’s thighs.
The pair fled the c2c train at the next station, Chalkwell, because they “felt unsafe.”
Police are seeking to speak with this man (British Transport Police)
Police have released images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the attack.
Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said: “Everyone has the right to travel without fear or intimidation and nobody should be subjected to offensive or homophobic language.
“I am keen to speak to anyone who was on the service and saw this incident.”
A train at Shoeburyness (Creative Commons photo/Flickr user Matt Buck)
If you have any information, text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting 380 of 1 June. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
