‘Nasty experience’: Two women left with facial injuries after being punched in face by homophobe
Sussex Police would like to speak with this man in connection with the August 21 incident. (Sussex Police)
Detectives are investigating an alleged homophobic assault against two women, after a man verbally and physically abused both – punching one in the face twice – in West Sussex.
Sussex Police have launched an appeal to find a man they wish to speak to in relation to this incident.
The assault happened just after 2.30am on 21 August near to Kings Street car park in East Grinstead.
According to Sussex Police the victims were subjected to homophobic abuse by a man while walking home along London Road.
One of the victims challenged the man, who continued the verbal abuse along Kings Street, before he punched her twice in the face near the car park. She attended hospital with injuries to her face.
The other victim was also punched in the face by the man, causing a minor injury.
Sussex Police have described the man they would like to speak to in connection with this incident as white, skinny and around 6 feet tall.
He has dark short hair and was wearing grey jogging bottoms with a black zip, a black t-shirt and a black baseball cap at the time of the incident.
Detective constable James Butcher said: “We are urging anyone who recognises this man to contact us as we believe he can assist us with our investigation.
“This was a nasty experience for both the victims and want anyone with information to speak with us.”
Any information that could help with the investigation can be reported to the police online or call 101 quoting serial number 177 of 21/07.
Recently PinkNews has reported on a number of hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community, including the terrifying homophobic hate crime against 25-year-old Nathan Esslemont.
Figures released by the police have also shown how such crimes have more than double in five years, shooting from 10,003 in 2016-17 to 26,824 in 2021-22.
