Couple battered by gang (From The Argus)
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Brighton couple devastated by homophobic attack
1:00pm Monday 17th December 2012 in News By Ben James
Tony Minion and Graham Munday of Brighton were victims of what is believed to be a homophobic assault
A gang battered a gay couple in a “horrific” homophobic assault as they made their way home after a night out.
Graham Munday, 42, and his partner Tony Minion, 52, told how they were kicked and punched in the head by five youths as they walked hand in hand through Brighton in the early hours of Saturday morning (December 15).
The incident comes ten years after Mr Munday was left with a broken nose after a similar homophobic attack.
Speaking to The Argus, he said: “It was horrible. You don’t expect that kind of thing to happen any more, especially in Brighton.
“It’s been nearly ten years since I was first attacked and I thought that things had changed. I’m just devastated.”
The couple were making their way back to their Grove Hill flat, in Brighton, following a night out in Kemp Town.
At around 2.30am they walked past the Blind Tiger Club on Grand Parade when five youths approached them.
'Terrifying'
Mr Munday, whose voice was trembling as he relived the horrific attack, said: “They started shouting homophobic abuse at us.
“Then they started punching.
“It was just terrifying, there was nothing we could do.”
His partner, Mr Minion added: “There were too many of them and they just knocked me to the floor.
“I couldn’t get up and then they started kicking me in the back and the head.
“There was a group of people nearby who just stood there and did nothing, that’s the worst thing about it.”
Distressed
The couple dialled 999 and officers were on the scene in minutes.
The men are described as white, in their twenties and wearing casual clothes.
Bloodied and suffering from shock, the couple rushed to the safety of a nearby friend’s house.
Mike Nelson, 49, who was woken by the sound of the doorbell, opened the front door to see his pals in a terrible state.
He said: “They were both extremely distressed and had a number of cuts and bruises.
“I sat them down, patched them up and gave them a cup of tea.”
“Graham was attacked a few years ago and he’s just devastated that this has happened again.
“He isn’t someone who shows a lot of public affection so this will really knock his confidence.”
'Better education'
Mr Munday, who works in mediation, appeared on the front page of The Argus back in 2002 when he was set upon by a gang of youths just a couple of roads away on Ashton Rise.
On that occasion, the then 32-year-old was left with a broken nose and two black eyes.
He added: “It’s just really upsetting that this can still happen.
“I don’t think the law is a problem, that’s all in place. There needs to be better education for people like this.”
Police are investigating the incident and anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information should contact them on 101.
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Comments(49)
Number Six
says...
1:16pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Hope they catch the B'Stards responsible
tooned_in
says...
1:20pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Hope you both make a speedy recovery form these injuries and know that apart from a handfull of **** the rest of the city cares not for your choice in sexuality and is very happy to live side by side with all people regardless of sexuality, race or religon!!
Reporter1
says...
1:27pm Mon 17 Dec 12
It would go to show how safe it is to get home in one piece after a night out
s&k
says...
1:42pm Mon 17 Dec 12
PorkBoat
says...
1:50pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Ballroom Blitz
says...
2:15pm Mon 17 Dec 12
If I had my way I would lock the perpetrators up and throw away the key. But if they are caught, they probably won't even get a prison sentence.
Just another thing that's wrong with this sick country.
asm249
says...
2:16pm Mon 17 Dec 12
jimthedoorman
says...
2:37pm Mon 17 Dec 12
asm249 wrote:You're absolutely right. No more than playground bullying. Except there are regularly not teachers to supervise the "children" and stop it.
I agree that it could be anyone regardless of race or sexuality. I am regularly threatened by groups of youth (even during the day). The common denominator is that there are more of them than me. It is an adult form of playground bullying.
I know the Kemptown, Grove Hill, Queens Park, Ashton Rise and Grand Parade area very well as I both live and work around these areas. There are many, many cameras around the area belonging to both private and council run areas. Although this is of small comfort after the event, I hope that the perpetrators of this terrible act of violence will be brought to justice.
And for all those that complain "Oh, I was beaten up once and then the Police threatened me" wise up.
I've seen people being beaten up and it does go on. Let me give you a classic example of one of the many times I've seen this go on.
In my opinion, both parties were drunk. One wound up the other and it went from there. They were not angry or giving any grief to any other person on the street apart from themselves. Although I was off duty at the time, if it had escalated to anything more serious I would have felt the human factor and tried to reason with them to stop it escalating to violence. I am NOT a have a go hero.
Nothing happened apart from the Police saw it on the cameras, came over and tried to talk with them both. Both were arrested and then directed their anger towards the Police who were not taking any of their flailing fists and had no choice but to arrest them.
You see this so often on TV prgrammes from around the country when you get some bigmouth who thinks they're above the law, spouting off a tirade of abuse and when the Police even go near them (cameras or not) start screaming saying "OH, THAT HURTS. STOP HURTING ME" even though they've probably just kicked 7 bells out of someone.
NO sympathy for those people in their current attitude whatsoever. Be it verbal or physical bullying, nobody deserves to be treated like this at any point.
Wherever people are, there will be bullies, there will be people out for an argument, there will be violent people. I'm just one cog in a very large part of Brighton trying to put a stop to it.
jimthedoorman
says...
2:40pm Mon 17 Dec 12
If you see it, if you experience it, if you feel that someone else is experiencing it and not letting on (ie domestic abuse) then REPORT IT.
Call the Police.
Don't be a vigilante.
Don't be a hero.
In an emergency ALWAYS call 999.
Sue De Nimes
says...
2:58pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Unfortunately in this country now we have a feral underclass. There are attacks like this on a regular basis up and down the country.
Yes, there was anti gay abuse but it could have so easily have been for any of a number of reasons. It is quite likely the gang involved just viewed the assault as a "bit of fun" for the night.
The problem isn't "homophobia" it is violent and aggressive individuals.
qm
says...
3:01pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Sue De Nimes
says...
3:01pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Crystal Ball
says...
3:04pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Sue De Nimes wrote:You think (lack of) religion has anything to do with these attacks?
To add : I think that with Brighton and Hove being the most godless city in the country this sort of thing is more likely here.
asm249
says...
3:04pm Mon 17 Dec 12
sussexram40
says...
3:09pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Unfortunately there is a big lack of visible police officers on the streets. Police should not be sitting in their cars, they should be patrolling the city streets on foot in pairs to act as a visible deterrent and to help the decent law abiding citizens feel safer.
The other thing is there needs to be zero tolerance to bad and drunken behaviour. Too often I see packs of drunk rowdies and Police sitting in a van just watching them. That's not good enough. Get them off the streets.
Hoarder12345444
says...
3:28pm Mon 17 Dec 12
PorkBoat wrote:Wow that is shocking! When I was about 19 I was started on near Brighton station, apparently I was accused of looking at someone the wrong way, someones girlfriend. I was jumped by about 5 men and beaten and bloodied. Nothing broken and fortunately I wasnt stabbed. I then decided to hit the weights to bulk up and since then nothing has happened. These people are complete cowards and will attack the weak in packs because they are not man enough to do it fair one on one. Brighton is dangerous at this time. I have never been attacked or approached since I was 19. I worry when my girfriend is out with her friends because I know what drunk, aggressive men are like. She is savvy but small and vulnerable. This is one of the reasons I rarely go out in central Brighton anymore until that time. I have seen many fights in clubs and on streets and they are not pleasant. Such a shame for these guys really. These thugs need a slight reason to set them off like a pack of feral dogs.
I got battered by five "youths" once, no one gave a hoot, especially the police, who threatened to arrest ME, and dragged one of my friends into their van and battered him. They said "What do you expect in Brighton on a Saturday night? Now **** off home before we nick you". Not belittling this attack, but it happens to all sorts, straight, gay, whatever. Hope you both recover soon.
tooned_in
says...
3:40pm Mon 17 Dec 12
jimthedoorman wrote:................and if noone else can help maybe you could hire...............
One more comment...
If you see it, if you experience it, if you feel that someone else is experiencing it and not letting on (ie domestic abuse) then REPORT IT.
Call the Police.
Don't be a vigilante.
Don't be a hero.
In an emergency ALWAYS call 999.
jay316
says...
3:45pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Glad to see police were speedy, sadly this doesn't happen enough.
Shame more people don't carry Dye Spray. If you are being attacked spray on the attacker will have a red face as it dyes them.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
3:50pm Mon 17 Dec 12
My advice to the two chaps, taken from my late Grandfather who was possible one of the hardest men in Brighton EVER during his day, is if confronted with this awful situation, bit of youy focus your attention on the littlest of the gang.
Whilst you are getting a kicking, both punch, bite, kick and generally whack the living daylights out of the small one. If you hospitalise him the police can even catch the rest. Do not stop beating him until the end.
Joshiman
says...
4:02pm Mon 17 Dec 12
sunnybrighton
says...
4:02pm Mon 17 Dec 12
sussexram40
says...
4:02pm Mon 17 Dec 12
PorkBoat
says...
4:54pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Hoarder12345444 wrote:Yep, near Brighton station was where it happened to me as well, just on my way home after a night out, got jumped by a gang of "casuals". "Oi, you're Palace aincha?" and before I knew it, I was headbutted, and lying on the ground getting a kicking.
PorkBoat wrote:Wow that is shocking! When I was about 19 I was started on near Brighton station, apparently I was accused of looking at someone the wrong way, someones girlfriend. I was jumped by about 5 men and beaten and bloodied. Nothing broken and fortunately I wasnt stabbed. I then decided to hit the weights to bulk up and since then nothing has happened. These people are complete cowards and will attack the weak in packs because they are not man enough to do it fair one on one. Brighton is dangerous at this time. I have never been attacked or approached since I was 19. I worry when my girfriend is out with her friends because I know what drunk, aggressive men are like. She is savvy but small and vulnerable. This is one of the reasons I rarely go out in central Brighton anymore until that time. I have seen many fights in clubs and on streets and they are not pleasant. Such a shame for these guys really. These thugs need a slight reason to set them off like a pack of feral dogs.
I got battered by five "youths" once, no one gave a hoot, especially the police, who threatened to arrest ME, and dragged one of my friends into their van and battered him. They said "What do you expect in Brighton on a Saturday night? Now **** off home before we nick you". Not belittling this attack, but it happens to all sorts, straight, gay, whatever. Hope you both recover soon.
Tussle
says...
5:32pm Mon 17 Dec 12
mark by the sea
says...
5:45pm Mon 17 Dec 12
asm249 wrote:Exactly, people like this scum go out looking for trouble, and if your the unlucky. One they come across , then it's a bad day.
Thugs will make up any reason for starting on a person. They are not exactly on some moral crusade.
Surely the police could use under cover officers in areas like this, as a sting arrangement? Where police put themselves in areas and induce the idiots out into the open?
Without being a snob, the John st area is not a nice area.. Day or night, two min walk from st James st
Moodycow70
says...
6:03pm Mon 17 Dec 12
D360
says...
6:43pm Mon 17 Dec 12
sussexram40 wrote:Absolute nonsense. If I call the police I want them to rush to me in minutes like they did in this case not be wondering about on foot. There are extra cops and bouncers standing on West Street every Saturday and people still fight.
It's sad but true - but walking around central Brighton at 2.30am is dangerous - regardless of whather you are straight or gay and regardless of whether you are alone, 2 same sex people or a man and a woman. In fact I'd say a man on his own would be at greater risk than a gay couple.
Unfortunately there is a big lack of visible police officers on the streets. Police should not be sitting in their cars, they should be patrolling the city streets on foot in pairs to act as a visible deterrent and to help the decent law abiding citizens feel safer.
The other thing is there needs to be zero tolerance to bad and drunken behaviour. Too often I see packs of drunk rowdies and Police sitting in a van just watching them. That's not good enough. Get them off the streets.
Read a paper, watch the TV, the emergency services are all overstretched as it is.
Spx
says...
6:51pm Mon 17 Dec 12
sussexram40
says...
7:58pm Mon 17 Dec 12
brightonrock1947
says...
10:58pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Ivanna Goodhump
says...
11:23pm Mon 17 Dec 12
south1919 wrote:When I first saw the photo I thought it was a Desperate Dan lookalike competition.
Are the heads upside down
Nitrous_McBread
says...
11:41pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Sue De Nimes wrote:Breathtakingly illogical and stunningly imbecilic sentence right there.
To add : I think that with Brighton and Hove being the most godless city in the country this sort of thing is more likely here.
Bring to me these violently homophobic atheists about whom you babble, Sue. Go on, I double dare you.
And after you've tried and failed, I'll bore you rigid recounting the endless sickening exhortations to violence against gay people in page after page of all the major religions' so-called holy books.
To Tony & Graham: please don't let this change you. Brighton loves you. And even black and blue you're still red hot x
Brighton_Lad
says...
11:48pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Nitrous_McBread wrote:Brilliant post! My sentiments exactly. All the best for a full recovery lads!
Sue De Nimes wrote:Breathtakingly illogical and stunningly imbecilic sentence right there.
To add : I think that with Brighton and Hove being the most godless city in the country this sort of thing is more likely here.
Bring to me these violently homophobic atheists about whom you babble, Sue. Go on, I double dare you.
And after you've tried and failed, I'll bore you rigid recounting the endless sickening exhortations to violence against gay people in page after page of all the major religions' so-called holy books.
To Tony & Graham: please don't let this change you. Brighton loves you. And even black and blue you're still red hot x
zeon
says...
12:19am Tue 18 Dec 12
..
whereisthe...?
says...
7:43am Tue 18 Dec 12
John Steed
says...
8:36am Tue 18 Dec 12
how ever these sort of cretins would probally have hurled racist abuse if the victims where coloured and if it had been someone my age then ageist remarks would have been shouted. the reality is that the morons who carry out these assaults just go for targets of opportunity often fueled up by alcohol. and/or other substances.
there is no excuse for violence in our society, domestic or otherwise.
but all the time brighton wants to be the premier clubbing and entertainment capital of the south and businesses are greedy for the lucre all forms of anti social behaviour from a very small minority will follow. (unless it involves students, then the word minority appears to replaced by majority)
Old Ladys Gin
says...
8:51am Tue 18 Dec 12
Algeria Touchshriek wrote:Sound advice and much as we were taught in the military.
I can't blame the bystanders doing nothing. These days all sorts of people carry knives and (more London, than Brighton) guns. I am afraid I am not going to leave Mrs Touchshriek a widow all because I played hero and helped a couple of late night revelers sort out a fight.
My advice to the two chaps, taken from my late Grandfather who was possible one of the hardest men in Brighton EVER during his day, is if confronted with this awful situation, bit of youy focus your attention on the littlest of the gang.
Whilst you are getting a kicking, both punch, bite, kick and generally whack the living daylights out of the small one. If you hospitalise him the police can even catch the rest. Do not stop beating him until the end.
julesgemini
says...
11:07am Tue 18 Dec 12
the taffster
says...
11:33am Tue 18 Dec 12
bluemonday
says...
11:40am Tue 18 Dec 12
the taffster
says...
11:41am Tue 18 Dec 12
RickH
says...
12:20pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Sue De Nimes wrote:Not convinced!? So which part of "...They started shouting homophobic abuse at us..." did you not understand? Or did you choose to ignore that bit to make your point?
I am not convinced there is any homophobic element to this at all. Unfortunately in this country now we have a feral underclass. There are attacks like this on a regular basis up and down the country. Yes, there was anti gay abuse but it could have so easily have been for any of a number of reasons. It is quite likely the gang involved just viewed the assault as a "bit of fun" for the night. The problem isn't "homophobia" it is violent and aggressive individuals.
Thankfully, you're stand alone amongst all the contributers in your view; something that probably reflects 'the real world' too!
hubby
says...
7:35pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Seriously.Brighton has got cameras everywhere.These thugs must be on them somewhere.
Too much nastiness around these days.
mictrix
says...
8:29pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Ivanna Goodhump wrote:lol
south1919 wrote:When I first saw the photo I thought it was a Desperate Dan lookalike competition.
Are the heads upside down
mimseycal
says...
11:43pm Tue 18 Dec 12
And that is why these feral attack happen. If you witness a vicious attack and do nothing, you are actively enabling these feral attackers by your very passivity.
mictrix
says...
9:31pm Fri 21 Dec 12
Nitrous_McBread wrote:oh dear i think i'm going to be sick.
Sue De Nimes wrote:Breathtakingly illogical and stunningly imbecilic sentence right there.
To add : I think that with Brighton and Hove being the most godless city in the country this sort of thing is more likely here.
Bring to me these violently homophobic atheists about whom you babble, Sue. Go on, I double dare you.
And after you've tried and failed, I'll bore you rigid recounting the endless sickening exhortations to violence against gay people in page after page of all the major religions' so-called holy books.
To Tony & Graham: please don't let this change you. Brighton loves you. And even black and blue you're still red hot x
imnotpc
says...
9:19am Mon 24 Dec 12
imnotpc
says...
8:53pm Sun 6 Jan 13
mictrix wrote:what a drama queen no wonder the other person feels sick...absolutely disgusting filth
Nitrous_McBread wrote:oh dear i think i'm going to be sick.
Sue De Nimes wrote:Breathtakingly illogical and stunningly imbecilic sentence right there.
To add : I think that with Brighton and Hove being the most godless city in the country this sort of thing is more likely here.
Bring to me these violently homophobic atheists about whom you babble, Sue. Go on, I double dare you.
And after you've tried and failed, I'll bore you rigid recounting the endless sickening exhortations to violence against gay people in page after page of all the major religions' so-called holy books.
To Tony & Graham: please don't let this change you. Brighton loves you. And even black and blue you're still red hot x
heartthrob says...
1:10pm Mon 17 Dec 12
I hope that any cctv and the full force of the law can be brought on these ill-educated nasty people. There is no place for them in what we pride as a tolerant city.
(nice matching beards and shirts by the way)