Former soldier jailed over vicious homophobic attack

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A former soldier has been jailed after a horrific attack on a gay man in Exeter.

Exeter Crown Court heard how David Tomkinson, who served in the Army in Iraq, brutally beat a man on October 6, after he had agreed to meet him at a gay bar.

The pair had danced together – but after they left the Vaults club on Gandy Street, Tomkinson kicked and punched him to the ground, leaving him with a broken rib before fleeing the scene

Tomkinson was jailed for a year by Judge Erik Salomonsen, according to the Exeter Express and Echo.

He was also ordered to pay £340 costs and £114 compensation to the victim, after admitting ABH.

The Judge said: “The court has had an opportunity of seeing the CCTV which shows graphically what occurred in that lane.

“His victim personal statement has also shown the impact upon him, which as perhaps a vulnerable individual has been very significant and goes beyond the physical injury.

“This was an offence against a vulnerable victim. It was a sustained and repeated assault in the street, in drink, which has had a long lasting effect on the victim.”

Defending, Mr Peter Seigne said that the incident was not a homophobic attack. He also claimed that Tomkinson was under strain, as he was about to leave the armed forces after several years.

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