A sickening homophobic atack on an LGBT rugby player celebrating in Canal Street has been captured on CCTV – and now police have released the footage as his attacker is still at large.
The incident occurred on Saturday November 1 when a gang of about four men approached a 24-year-old man and launched a torrent of homophobic abuse.
One of the group punched him in his face and broke his jaw, which lead to hospital workers having to insert a metal disc into his face.
Detective Constable Louise Kelly of North Manchester Division said: “We are re-appealing for witnesses and I want to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage or who may have witnessed the incident.
“We’d also like to speak to the other men in the CCTV as they may have some information that may help our investigation.
“It was 9pm in a busy area, there were lots of people on Canal Street at that time that may have seen something. We believe this to be a homophobic attack and I want to make it clear that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated on our streets.”
Police are hoping the new footage might be the breakthrough they need.
DC Kelly lambasted the motives behind the attack.
“The victim was merely promoting his rugby team, but was subjected to an attack, during which he suffered a broken jaw and has had a metal plate inserted into his face,” she said.
“I want to reassure local businesses and residents, who live, reside or socialise in the gay village that we are treating this extremely seriously.”
If you have any information about the incident please call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
