Children ‘taunted’ gay man
Police in Cam, Gloucestershire, are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered repeated homophobic abuse from children.
The Stroud Life reports that the 50-year-old man complained of four incidents of harassment and criminal damage at the end of February, in which abuse was shouted at him and stones were thrown at his windows.
Two of the perpetrators are believed to be boys aged between ten and 13.
Police sergeant Neil Gibbs, of Dursley and Cam Police, told the newspaper: “These incidents have been classified as hate crimes due to the fact the victim has been targeted because of his sexual orientation.
“This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable, extremely distressing to the victim and reflects badly on the area. Those responsible are a minority of local residents but their actions smear the reputation of the entire neighbourhood.
“We need those who know who did these things, particularly neighbours living nearby who may have crucial information, to have the decency to come forward.
“In the meantime, further PCSO patrols in the area will be carried out, and the victim is being visited regularly to give re-assurance during the early evening.”
Anyone with any information should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 and quote incident number 424 of February 27. Alternatively, if you wish to give information anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
