Man has tooth knocked out in homophobic attack
The man has been assaulted in what is believed to be a homophobic hate crime.
The 36-year-old victim was walking along a footpath on the road opposite to a cemetery in Redcar when the attack took place last Friday (October 2).
He heard another man shouting threatening and homophobic comments towards him and attempted to flee, reports ITV.
The victim believed that they were being shouted by a male from a vehicle, but this remains unclear as the victim did not look up as he tried to get away.
A few seconds later, the victim was punched in the head from behind, causing him to fall to the ground where he was then punched and kicked in the head and upper body.
As a result of the attack the victim sustained swelling and grazing around his face and nose and he lost a tooth.
He later received treatment at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital.
“Incidents such as these are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said PC Nicholas Chew of Cleveland Police.
“Attacking someone else is absolutely unacceptable, but to attack someone simply due to their sexuality is abhorrent.
“I’d encourage anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone who may know the identity of the person responsible to please contact police,” he added.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call the non-emergency 101 number, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
