News / Crime
Man in critical condition after suspected homophobic attack
Police are treating a recent attack on two people as a possible homophobic hate crime.
Two men were assaulted on St Nicholas Street in the Old City in the early hours of April 24 with one of the men in his 30s found by paramedics lying unconscious with significant facial injuries.
He was taken to hospital but his health has deteriorated and he is now in a critical but stable condition.
The second victim sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment and has since been able to provide Avon & Somerset police with more information which has led officers “investigating the possibility that there could have potentially been a homophobic motivation to what took place”.
Neighbourhood chief inspector Keith Smith said: “We are treating this incident seriously and have briefed local LGBTQ+ leaders and SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality) of the current situation, because we have recorded this as a hate crime.
“Detectives are seeking to gain a full understanding of what happened, which is why we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
“At this stage there is no evidence to suggest a wider risk to the public but we wish to identify the offenders as soon as possible.”
Police believe the assaults were carried out by a group of three or four men who left on foot before driving away in a car. One man is believed to have been wearing a blue jacket, with two others dressed predominantly in black or grey.
CCTV enquiries are ongoing as police attempt to build more detailed description of the offenders.
If you were in the area at the time of the incident, or witnessed anything that may assist police enquiries, call 101 and quote reference 5226111583.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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