Wirral teenager, 19, targeted in further Liverpool city centre gay ‘bashing’

Nov 21 2009 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

Lord Street, where the attack happened

The Wirral A-Level pupil said he has suffered other violent attacks in Liverpool city centre including one during the summer when the teenager was karate kicked in the back by thugs on Church Street.

Just before Christmas youths spat in his mum’s face as they walked together to Central Station.

And the 19-year-old’s ex-boyfriend needed extensive surgery to reconstruct his eyesockets, and required metal plates in his face, after a savage beating as he left Chicago nightclub, on Victoria Street, 18 months ago.

His outraged mum added: “My son’s been up sick all night, but he says they’re not going to win and keep him at home.”

Merseyside Police said homophobic crime would not be tolerated and a spokeswoman said: “We treat all allegations of hate crime very seriously and we would encourage all victims to come forward and report incidents to us.

“There has traditionally been an under-reporting of offences, and we have a dedicated Sigma hate crime units who deal with these type of complaints.”

Tommy McIlravey, chairman of the city’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community, told the ECHO hate crime was on the rise in Liverpool. He said: “It’s very sad this teenager’s almost acceptance of violence, and he’s resigned to it.

“It has felt slightly edgy around Stanley Street recently. Visible policing is important as it reduces attacks and people feel more comfortable.

“Homophobia is prevalent in Merseyside schools, particularly the use of the word ‘gay’ as an adjective

“Unfortunately a gay person is seen as a soft target for people who want to prove how much of a ‘man’ they are.”

Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said today: “Our city prides itself on our rich, diverse culture and we will not stand for violent attacks. We are proud to support the anti-homophobic march.”