Gay couple tell of how they were assaulted by gang of men in black SUV in Birmingham’s Gay Village
Married couple are beaten in Birmingham’s Gay Village in ‘targeted’ attack by men ‘trying to start fights with gay people’
*** WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW ***Rob and husband Patrick, from Bicester, Oxon, beaten by a gang of menThey had been celebrating a friend’s birthday in Birmingham’s Gay Village when they had homophobic abuse hurled at them and were left battered after fight Patrick had been knocked unconscious and Rob was beaten with bottles as West Midlands Police condemned the attack and continue to hunt those responsible
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A couple left bloodied and bruised after a shocking 4am attack in Birmingham‘s Gay Village have spoken of their ordeal.
Rob and his husband Patrick were celebrating a friend’s birthday and had just left Missing bar in Bromsgrove Street when they were targeted by the occupants of a black SUV at 4am on Saturday, August 14.
The gang grabbed Patrick’s phone when he tried to film them after the abuse began, while a friend was dragged along the road and almost run over when she tried to retrieve it.
Patrick was knocked unconscious in the melee and Rob was attacked and beaten with bottles when the vehicle stopped after he chased it.
Today, Rob said the couple, both in their 30s and from Bicester in Oxfordshire, were recovering at home and he had taken time off work so a hand injury could heal.
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Rob and his husband Patrick were celebrating a friend’s birthday and had just left Missing bar in Bromsgrove Street when they were targeted by the occupants of a black SUV
Recalling the incident, he said: ‘They had no business in the Gay Village at 4am except for trying to start fights with gay people.
‘We had come up from Oxfordshire for a friend’s birthday party that night. It was a nice night out and there had been guys sat in front of the bar in a SUV.
‘We tried to be nice to them, I said: ‘Is it your birthday?’ or something, and they started yelling at us and calling us homophobic names.
‘Then my husband tried to record them and they stole his phone and took it inside the car.
‘When they were trying to get it back they drove off, knocking him over and dragging our friend down the road and halfway round the corner.
‘I chased after them and they got out of the car and had bottles and started fighting us.’
Rob suffered cuts to his head and hands, while Patrick was knocked unconscious and suffered cuts to his head and arm.
Their friend, who is in her 20s, suffered an injury to her foot after being dragged by the vehicle.
Rob said they were taken to a safe space within the Arcadian car park, where they were cleaned up and the police called.
Patrick was knocked unconscious in the melee and Rob (pictured) was attacked and beaten with bottles when the vehicle stopped after he chased it
‘They took statements and went away immediately to review CCTV and chase it up,’ he said.
They were then taken to hospital where they were stitched up and received further treatment.
‘I want to thank the police, hospital staff and our friends who helped get the word out.’
Insp Steve Lloyd, from Birmingham Police, said: ‘This was an absolutely appalling attack and robbery on people just trying to enjoy a night out in the city centre.
‘They’ve suffered homophobic abuse before being physically injured, and we are working incredibly hard to find those responsible.
‘We’ll be working closely with businesses in the area, and the Southside BID, to reassure them that we are taking this appalling hate crime very seriously.’
Andy Street, West Midlands openly gay directly elected mayor, said: ‘There is no place in our home for this disgusting, homophobic behaviour.
‘I’m sure the police will do all they can to catch the perpetrators and punish them with the full force of the law.’
