A PAIR of homophobic thugs have been jailed for a brutal attack on a gay couple.

Gage Vye-Parminter and Matthew Howes hurled abuse at Dain Louis and James Loxton as they followed them along Brighton seafront on May 2.

The couple, who were walking home from a night out, ignored the heckling but the Crawley pair became violent. The kicking and punching only stopped when a passerby intervened.

Mr Louis, 22, suffered fractured eye sockets and cheekbones as well as a broken nose after being knocked out and falling to the floor unconscious. Mr Loxton, 24, was also left with cuts and bruises.

Vye-Parminter, 18, of Breydon Walk, and Howes, 19, of Weald Drive, admitted assault and committing grievous bodily harm. They were each sentenced to five years and four months in a young offenders’ institute and told to pay a £170 surcharge.

Police officers on patrol were flagged down by a taxi driver who told them of the attack near the Queen’s Hotel, King’s Road, at about 5am.

The victims were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment while Vye-Parminter and Howes were arrested at the scene and taken to custody for questioning, Brighton Crown Court heard.

Dain Louis and James Loxton spoke out to raise awareness of homophobia even in places like Brighton and Hove.

Mr Louis said he feared he may never be able to see again when he spoke to The Argus at the time of the attack.

The 22-year-old said: "We just ignored [the slurs] and kept our heads down. The next thing we knew we were both knocked to the floor and were being kicked in the face. I blacked out and woke up in hospital. My eye socket was shattered and my eye filled up with blood. Even the police said they were so shocked. We were so overwhelmed by everyone's support. But it has shaken me. I became really anxious just being around other people, but I don't want to let this stop me living my life."

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Sarah Townsend said: “This was a violent and unprovoked homophobic attack on two men who were singled out for their sexual orientation.

“This sentence sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their race, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation.

“I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate crime to report such behaviour and violence to the police.”

The pair spoke exclusively to The Argus about the attack to raise awareness of homophobia.