Man’s back broken in suspected hate crime robbery after Pride in London
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE’N (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE’N/AFP/Getty Images)
Police have appealed for help after a man was left with a broken back in the wake of Pride in London.
The attack took place in the early hours of July 8, following London’s Pride celebrations the day before.
The victim, a 49-year-old man, was walking along Greek Street in Soho towards Tottenham Court Road where he planned to catch a bus home.
The rainbow flag at Oxford Street during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London)
Police say he was struck in the back and fell to the ground, before his mobile phone was taken.
The incident is being treated as a hate crime “due to offensive language heard by the victim” shortly before the attack, police explained.
The victim received medical treatment when he reached Stratford Underground Station, where he was given medical treatment by officers.
He was then taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a broken back.
The man continues to receive treatment.
There have been no arrests.
File photo. The crowd at Pride in London (Mark Milan/Getty)
The Met explained: “Detectives have carried out extensive CCTV enquiries to identify the suspect(s).
“They would like to hear anyone who witnessed the assault which happened following Pride in London. The area would have been busy at the time.
“Officers would also like to speak with anyone who helped him off the tube at Stratford.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Community Safety Unit at Westminster via 101.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
