A 16-year-old was repeatedly punched in the face in ‘frightening’ homophobic attack at fairground
(Fairground stock photo vis Elements Envato)
A 16-year-old boy was repeatedly punched in the face during a ‘frightening’ homophobic attack at a fun fair before being jumped on again after fleeing.
The teen was attacked twice within moments in Abingdon, Oxford, in southern England, earlier this week.
The fair route stretched a mile down the length of the High Street from the market place and along Ock Street in the town’s shopping district.
At around 9:45pm on October 8, the victim was approached by a group of young people, according to Oxford Mail.
One of the boys in the group, described by detectives as around 16 to 19 years old, then assaulted the boy in what police described as an ‘unprovoked homophobic attack’.
The attacker was, according to police, wearing a waterproof mac with a hood.
Local police: ‘This was a frightening experience for the victim.’
As a result of the attack, the teen fled the fair towards Tower Close, an off-shoot side-alley, when he was attacked a second time.
He was pummelled with punches in the face, leaving him battered and with a broken nose.
The second attacker is similarly described as a person of colour aged between 16 to 19 years old.
He was around 5’9″ with afro hair tied back in a ponytail.
Investigating officer PC Carly Meads, who is based at Abingdon police station, told the paper: “This was a frightening experience for the victim.
“I am urging anyone who believes that they recognise the description of the offenders to come forward.
“I am appealing to anybody was at the fair in the area at the time of the offence who believes that they may have any information to contact the non-emergency number on 101, quoting the reference number 43190312410.”
PinkNews have reached out to Abingdon police for further information and updates.
Homophobic attacks are on the rise.
The alleged attack is the latest example of the soaring numbers of violence towards LGBT+ occurring in England and Wales.
Hate crimes against trans people rose faster than for any other protected group
Official Home Office data, published this week, confirmed that hate crimes against transgender people in England and Wales are growing at a faster rate than for any other protected group.
Attacks against people based on their sexual orientation has increased by 25 percent.
The rise in anti-LGBT+ hate crimes comes amid an increased prevalence of anti-transgender media coverage, as well as growing protests against LGBT-inclusive education across the UK.
