Second gay man says he was violently attacked in London’s Blackheath
Blackheath Common, in south London (Creative Commons photo/ebeth)
A second gay man has come forward to allege that he was the victim of a homophobic attack in Blackheath, London.
Erhan Barut spoke out about his experience the day after police put out an appeal following an April 7 homophobic robbery on Blackheath Common.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Barut revealed he was the victim of a separate homophobic attack in the same area on January 12.
Second man attacked on Blackheath Common
Barut said he was approached by a gang of men who asked him if he was “cruising” in the area, which is a popular gay hook-up spot, before attacking him.
He said: “I felt one of them headbutt me and I was thrown towards some thorn bushes.
“It was terrifying and I felt so intimidated. I ran without looking back. I was bleeding from my face and throat.”
Coincidentally, Barut says he was also on the Common in the aftermath of the April 7 attack.
A 36-year-old man was attacked while walking along Blackheath Common (pictured) on Sunday April 7. (Google Maps)
He told the newspaper: “I saw this guy come from nowhere. He was totally disorientated, with blood dripping from him.
“The attackers were just a few yards away looking at what they had done.”
Metropolitan Police are not currently treating the two attacks as related.
Police still seeking help over homophobic Blackheath attack
Police are still appealing for evidence over the April 7 attack.
The 36-year-old victim, who has not been named publicly, was assaulted by a group of around five men and possibly one female.
The man was repeatedly punched in the face and choked around his neck until he lost consciousness.
He was then dragged along the ground by his hood, before the attackers hit his face against the pavement.
They then stole the victim’s car keys and drove off his white Peugeot 208 Access, which contained his mobile phone and wallet.
The attackers allegedly used homophobic slurs throughout the attack, which is being treated as a hate crime.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Adam Pearce, from the South East Command Unit, said: “This was a completely unprovoked and targeted assault and we believe there may be further victims not yet in contact with police.
“Both the attack and the homophobic motivation of this assault are abhorrent and I appeal to anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police’s South East Safe Guarding Unit by dialling 101 and quoting reference CAD 7270/07Apr, Tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
