Weather
Lesbian couple beaten up in homophobic attack in Brighton (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Lesbian couple beaten up in homophobic attack in Brighton
7:00am Tuesday 20th October 2009
A young lesbian couple were beaten-up in the street in a vicious homophobic attack.
The couple were both punched in the face after being verbally abused by a group of men in Gloucester Place, Brighton.
Gay campaigners claim the police - who waited 12 days before appealing for witnesses to the attack - should do more to prosecute those who commit hate crimes against members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.
The couple, who are aged 18 and 22, were walking hand in hand at about 3am on October 7.
When they turned towards the three men shouting homophobic insults at them, two of the men attacked them, punching them both in the head.
Even when the young women begged the third man, who had a large brown dog, to stop his friends, he did not intervene.
The men then ran off in the direction of Queens Road. All three men were described as white and in their early twenties.
Brighton police's LGBT liaison officer Nick Antjoule said the high density of LGBT people in Brighton meant there would be more attacks per head of population than in less tolerant towns and cities.
He said: "Brighton has a large and vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans population in comparison with other parts of the UK.
“Although our city is generally an inclusive place to be, when incidents of this kind occur we make every effort to identify and prosecute those responsible. Hate crime reported to Sussex Police in the Brighton area has decreased steadily over the last three years."
Editor of gay-magazine Gscene James Ledward, said victims needed to see more convictions or people would stop reporting homophobic attacks.
He said: “I have been working with the police for ten years to try and work on ways of encouraging more people to report homophobic attacks.
“Hate crimes are typically under reported and the per centage of people reporting them is improving, but the problem is they have put all their attention into reporting mechanisms when they should be focusing on convictions.
“If people don't see prosecutions going to court and people being punished for these vile crimes, then they won't be able to see the point and will lose trust and stop reporting them again.”
A spokeswoman Sussex Police could not explain why the appeal for witnesses had not been released sooner.
Anyone who saw the attack or three men in the area at about 3am on October 7 should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.
More Brighton News stories
- Second man wanted over Seaford murder
- Brighton Centre redevelopment face new delay
- Upside down horse pulled out of ditch
- Brighton half marathon diverted over landslide fears
- Police chiefs plan to keep extra officers on Sussex streets
- Job threat for Hailsham firm
- Brighton man who stole from police car jailed
- Man fled to France after quizzed over Sussex sex attack, court told
- Chopping down 100-year-old trees will be vandalism, say Brighton campaigners
- Doormats branded health and safety menace by Brighton council
Your Say YourArgus
stan bailey, brighton says...
7:49am Tue 20 Oct 09
King from Hove, Hove says...
8:10am Tue 20 Oct 09
Philo Beddoe, Worthing says...
8:22am Tue 20 Oct 09
tinkywinky, Brighton says...
8:38am Tue 20 Oct 09
If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it!
Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours!
Shame on the police!
voiceofthescoombe, brighton says...
9:27am Tue 20 Oct 09
bvet they feel real big managing to hit women and run off
pun master, Hove says...
9:27am Tue 20 Oct 09
stan bailey wrote:It's this kind of comment that sums up everything that has gone wrong in society - immediately putting the blame at the door of schools - it is a PARENT'S responsibility to educate their children first and foremost in citizenship and morality - and anyway these guys were in their twenties so should have known right from wrong anyway... stop blaming schools and start blaming inadequate and lazy parents...
Do they still teach PSE in schools? If they do it doesn't look as if it is sinking in
maxiboy_, Brighton says...
9:33am Tue 20 Oct 09
Darling2, brighton village says...
10:32am Tue 20 Oct 09
tinkywinky wrote:Utter rubbish. Why do some in the gay community make statements like this one, as if they should be afforded something more in law than the rest of the community?
There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton.
If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it!
Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours!
Shame on the police!
As for the scum, I hope they are caught and sent down for a very long time indeed.
Bennn, Kemptown, Brighton says...
11:25am Tue 20 Oct 09
Ken dodds dads dog died, says...
11:26am Tue 20 Oct 09
Tye, Pembroke says...
11:39am Tue 20 Oct 09
I detest PC - It means that as some crimes are classified "hate" crimes (as opposed rto love crimes?) that some thugs sentence will depend on whether they shout black or "asian" or gay or fat or american or whatever when they are beating seven shades of **** out oif some poor sod- surely this is just stupid!
robsurmer, Brighton says...
11:44am Tue 20 Oct 09
Scorpion, Newhaven says...
12:46pm Tue 20 Oct 09
Perhaps there are bigger questions we should be asking of society. Why are people allowed to grow up being moronic and violent? These people went to school in a much more PC society where teachers aren't allowed to discipline children. Has that been a contributing factor to the violent tendency .. ie its OK to throw your weight around because nobody will do anything. Pupils get to be so anti-authority that they don't want to learn anything and are lauded by their mates for being the biggest prat, the most macho idiot. Something wrong somewhere.
g1mp, Brighton says...
1:03pm Tue 20 Oct 09
RickH, Hove says...
2:32pm Tue 20 Oct 09
Darling2 wrote:I don't beleive that 'special' treatment is being looked for, just equal and effective treatment. The article itself states that "A spokeswoman Sussex Police could not explain why the appeal for witnesses had not been released sooner." thereby infering that 12 days is not the 'standard delay'. It's easily logcal step to assume that the delay was associated with the victims' sexuality rather than just pure stupidity/ineffecien
tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!Utter rubbish. Why do some in the gay community make statements like this one, as if they should be afforded something more in law than the rest of the community? As for the scum, I hope they are caught and sent down for a very long time indeed.
cy on the police's part.
RickH, Hove says...
4:35pm Tue 20 Oct 09
Darling2 wrote:Really? I've seen several studies that have proved that gay victims of crime often recieve a lower quality of service from a number of police forces and this is linked to what could be called 'institutionalised homophobia' ie the investigating officers allow their own prejuidices to inform their handling of those cases. Indeed, when myself and my partner were seriously assaulted (simply jumped one night on way home) resulting in a broken jaw, nose and arm, the 'investigating' plain-cloths police appeared to take statements (5 days after the event) the initial response from both officers was to assume it was a domestic incident and that my partner and I had attacked each other; this was despite their colleagues having taken witness statements when we were found unconcious in the street by a couple of passers-by. Our assailants were never found.
tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!Utter rubbish. Why do some in the gay community make statements like this one, as if they should be afforded something more in law than the rest of the community? As for the scum, I hope they are caught and sent down for a very long time indeed.
davyboy, abingdon, oxon says...
6:25pm Tue 20 Oct 09
greeg, glasgow says...
7:05pm Tue 20 Oct 09
tinkywinky wrote:"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know?
There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!
ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
realdeal2, Hove says...
8:03pm Tue 20 Oct 09
davyboy wrote:Exactly. Does not matter if you're normal or queer, you're entitled to the protection of the law. Good old Plod.
no-one, regardless of race, colour or sexual orientation, deserves to be treated like this. why can't people leave others alone to do their own thing? these scum should be caught and given the longest jail terms available. as for asking for witnesses, how many would there be at 3am? i hope that these two girls are ok, and are still able to go out alone at night.
TheInsider, Brighton says...
11:29pm Tue 20 Oct 09
They are a danger to women, their mothers, sisters and girlfriends need protection from this deeply disturbing behaviour. If they hit women, children may be at risk.
It is important that anyone who knows about this incident contacts the police.
These girls happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and their sexuality is irrelevant although it may be an excuse the perpetrators may use for their violence against women.
They were women attacked and punched in the face by men.
This is not normal and we all know from recent, high profile murder cases, men who kill or main women/partners, often engage in brutal, random violence against women.
These men may also consider getting help before they find themselves involved in a much more serious situation.
To put it simply, they are women beaters who need mental health help.
tinkywinky, Brighton says...
10:06am Wed 21 Oct 09
greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton.
tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
Is that good enough for you?
Now go and read your Daily Mail!
fretlessbass, Camberley says...
11:09am Wed 21 Oct 09
Jay-kay, brighton says...
11:55am Wed 21 Oct 09
notaconspiracy, Hove says...
1:45pm Wed 21 Oct 09
greeg wrote:Your correction of the spelling was wrong. No one likes a smart-arse!
tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
greeg, glasgow says...
2:51pm Wed 21 Oct 09
notaconspiracy wrote:You must have missed out on education as well.I liked "religios " as well.Must do better
greeg wrote:Your correction of the spelling was wrong. No one likes a smart-arse!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
greeg, glasgow says...
3:06pm Wed 21 Oct 09
tinkywinky wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer.
greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton. Is that good enough for you? Now go and read your Daily Mail!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so baised then!
greeg, glasgow says...
4:45pm Wed 21 Oct 09
greeg wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer.
tinkywinky wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer. There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so baised then!greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton. Is that good enough for you? Now go and read your Daily Mail!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so biased then!
tinkywinky, Brighton says...
5:02pm Wed 21 Oct 09
greeg wrote:People arent beaten up purely for being heterosexual.
greeg wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer. There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so biased then!tinkywinky wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer. There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so baised then!greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton. Is that good enough for you? Now go and read your Daily Mail!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
People are beaten up for being gay as these two lesbians were.
Its known as a hate crime
Its very different from straights beating each other up
Is that too hard for you to understand?
Why don't you comment on the story rather than stalking posters and me as you do?
You never have anything constuctive to say.
Its easy to fathom out where you are coming from sonny Jim.
Try getting a life!
oh dear, hove says...
6:57pm Wed 21 Oct 09
greeg wrote:What is the issue here? Any kind of hate crime is awful and attacks of any nature are awful-this isn't being denied. I don't think anyone has asked for preferential treatment, just the assurance that their case will be treated fairly.
tinkywinky wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer.
greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton. Is that good enough for you? Now go and read your Daily Mail!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so baised then!
-Institutionalized homophobia does still occur (and I'm not saying other prejudice doesn't but just focussing on the issue raised in the article); an example being in the research that hit the news earlier in the year that showed 1 in 6 therapists 'has tried to cure homosexuals'.
-And just cos it is bugging me-it looks like the spelling mistake was just a typo as tinkywinky has spelt it correctly later on in the same post (tinkywinky wasn't biting to the provocation but I'm clearly a pettier person!).
greeg, glasgow says...
7:42pm Wed 21 Oct 09
tinkywinky wrote:Now i know why you don't call yourself."thinkywink
greeg wrote:People arent beaten up purely for being heterosexual. People are beaten up for being gay as these two lesbians were. Its known as a hate crime Its very different from straights beating each other up Is that too hard for you to understand? Why don't you comment on the story rather than stalking posters and me as you do? You never have anything constuctive to say. Its easy to fathom out where you are coming from sonny Jim. Try getting a life!greeg wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer. There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so biased then!tinkywinky wrote:If you read,how come you can't spell?Didn't realise the question would be so painful for you to answer. There are hundreds of assaults on straight people in Brighton,was that fact on the Police statistics that you read?Why don't you quote those figures the next time a heterosexual gets assaulted and it's reported in the press,you won't look so baised then!greeg wrote:Because I read! Its there in the police statistics of hate crimes in Brighton. Is that good enough for you? Now go and read your Daily Mail!tinkywinky wrote: There are hundreds of asualts on gay people in Brighton. If it were assaults on this scale on people of race for their colour or religion, they would be doing something about it! Why 12 days before appealing for witnesses. Again if it were a racial or religios attack they would be appealing for witnesses within hours! Shame on the police!"There are hundreds of assualts on gay people in Brighton"If you're not talking for effect and being over dramatic,how do you know? ps.i've spelled assaults properly for you.
y".That aside,this is no hate crime,it was just a few drunks acting under the influence.They probably don't even remember doing it.eh,keep on smokin' it.
Nigel Noncington, Coombe Road says...
4:54pm Thu 22 Oct 09
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Lil, Worthing says...
7:35am Tue 20 Oct 09
Whoever violence happens to, the police should be on to it right away, no one should have preferential treatment but no one should have less than the the others get either.