A WOMAN who launched a bottle of wine at a man’s head in a homophobic attack has been jailed.

Jasmine Shepherd, 20, assaulted Owen Syred as he travelled back from Brighton Pride in August last year.

Shepherd, of Hayley Road, Lancing, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to eight and a half years in a young offenders’ institute.

Hove Crown Court heard how she targeted Mr Syred as he left Lancing railway station on Saturday, August 4, 2018.

Shepherd hurled a torrent of homophobic abuse at him and followed him into the Asda supermarket in South Street.

She then picked up a bottle of wine and threw it at the back of the Mr Syred’s head.

He suffered a serious head injury and partial loss of hearing in one of his ears.

He said: “I now permanently wear a hearing aid.

“It has been a struggle at work full stop. I have vertigo and tinnitus. It was shocking. It has been life-changing for me.

“I have lost all hearing in my left side and my employer has had to make adjustments to my working life.

“Financially it was a strain. I was off sick on statutory sick pay for two months.

“The whole thing has been stressful for me and my family.

“I had to push the police to report this as a homophobic hate crime.

“It took them two months to then arrest her. I’m worried she committed further offences in that time.

“Had it been a man attacking a woman, I think it would not have taken them so long.”

Investigating Officer Robert Rollins of Sussex Police said: “Shepherd took an immediate dislike towards the victim and the verbal abuse she shouted was abhorrent.

“The attack, understandably, caused the victim a huge amount of stress, pain and worry and I hope this sentencing provides closure for him.

“Shepherd’s previous bad character and the homophobic aspect of the assault allowed the judge to provide a higher sentence.

“We hope this statement will be a stark warning to everyone that this behaviour is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

  • Have you been affected by a homophobic hate crime? Call Argus crime reporter Aidan Barlow on 01273 021383 or email aidan.barlow@theargus.co.uk