Man beaten and choked unconscious in homophobic attack in Greenwich

Blackheath Common in Greenwich, where a man was the victim of a suspected homophobic attack

Thugs choked a man unconscious and smashed his face against a pavement in a suspected homophobic attack in Greenwich, London.

A 36-year-old man was walking along Blackheath Common on Sunday evening (April 7) when he was assaulted by a group of around five men and possibly one female, according to Metropolitan Police.

The unnamed man was repeatedly punched in the face and choked around his neck until he lost consciousness.

Man is choked until he loses consciousness in homophobic attack in Greenwich

He was then dragged along the ground by his hood, before the attackers hit his face against the pavement.

According to police, the group used homophobic slurs throughout the attack, which is being treated as a hate crime.

Police were called to Vanbrugh Park Road after receiving reports of an assault, where they found the victim bleeding and with facial bruising.

“This was a completely unprovoked and targeted assault and we believe there may be further victims not yet in contact with police.”

The man was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Metropolitan Police said they believe there could be further victims following the incident.

Police tape, representing police treating a homophobic attack in Greenwich as a hate crime

A 36-year-old man was beaten in a suspected homophobic attack in Greenwich, London. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty)

The victim has been discharged but is still suffering from his injuries and remains in shock, according to police.

One of the male attackers was described as white, with a thin face and thin lips. He had a London accent and wore a grey hoodie.

Police appeal for information after suspected homophobic assault in Greenwich

Investigating officer detective Constable Adam Pearce said: “This was a completely unprovoked and targeted assault and we believe there may be further victims not yet in contact with police.

“Both the attack and the homophobic motivation of this assault are abhorrent and I appeal to anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police’s South East Safe Guarding Unit by dialling 101 and quoting reference CAD 7270/07Apr, Tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.