Woman injured in homophobic attack

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An 18-year-old woman was left with cuts and bruises after being the victim of a homophobic assault in Coalville, Leicestershire.

She was walking along Owen Street at around 7.45pm on Monday September 21st when a group of youths began shouting anti-gay comments at her.

The victim was then punched and scratched by a man and a woman, resulting in cuts and bruises to her face and body.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

The female assailant is described as being skinny and around 24-25 years old. She had long dark hair with dark streaks, a top lip piercing, false nails and crooked teeth. She was wearing a pink or red baggy top with leggings.

The man was described as being 19-20 years old, 5’8” tall and of medium build. He had broad shoulders, ginger hair and freckles. He was wearing a baseball cap with an extended peak and a dollar sign on the front, a Henleys jacket, dark, baggy tracksuit trousers and white ankle trainers with Velcro straps.

Two other men were not involved in the abuse or attack but were standing with the group. One was 21-22-years old, 5’6” to 5’7” tall and was chubbier than the first youth. He was wearing a dark hooded top. The other was also wearing a hooded top and was riding a BMX bike.

PC Paul Hicks who is investigating the incident said: “Leicestershire Constabulary takes a very dim view of any kind of hate crime and incidents such as this will not be tolerated.

“The victim says that a car drove up the street which caused her attackers to run off. She watched them run down Owen Street over Belvoir Road towards the Marlene Reid Centre.

“Were you the driver of this vehicle? If you were you may be able to help us with details of the offenders or where they ran to.

“Perhaps you were also walking along Owen Street on Monday night. Do you go to a local gym? Perhaps you drive through the area to take you children to clubs and activities? Could you perhaps have seen this incident or these youths in the area?

“The descriptions are very good. Do recognise anyone from these descriptions? If so please get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 0763 Paul Hicks from North West Leicestershire LPU on Leicester (0116) 222 2222, follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer and when prompted key in his identification number 0763. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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