Vigil to be held for gay trainee policeman beaten in Liverpool

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A vigil is to be held in Liverpool this Sunday for James Parkes, the trainee police officer who was beaten by a gang of up to 20 youths last weekend.

Parkes, 22, remains in a serious condition in hospital. He has multiple fractures to his skull and cheekbone.

The vigil will be held at 8pm on Stanley Street, where the attack took place. Hundreds of people are expected to attend.

Parkes’ parents, Ann and Ron, have released a statement thanking the Liverpool gay community and local police for their support.

They said: “We can’t believe the ignorance of the young people who carried out the attack on someone who was just out on a night out with friends and had done nothing wrong.

“We are really keen that the young people involved in the attack are caught and brought to justice and would ask anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact the police.”

Parkes began working as a police community support officer in Liverpool two years ago and joined the force as an officer in May.

He was attacked at 10pm last Sunday while leaving Superstar Boudoir with his partner and friends in the city’s gay village.

Six youths between the ages of 14 and 17 have been arrested and bailed.

Police are still appealing for any new witnesses to come forward.

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