UK} Ten yrs For Man in Birmingham Who Attack a Gay Couple
A Birmingham man has been jailed for ten years after he launched a violent attack on two gay men who had stopped at his local pub for a drink.
Ben Martin launched into a physical assault on the pair, shattering one man’s jaw and leaving the other with missing teeth.
Martin had denied the severity of the attack, claiming to have only punched the couple, but was filmed on CCTV repeatedly kicking one of the gay men in the head, the Birmingham Mail reports.
The victim, 30, required surgery to reconstruct his face after the attack, which left him with a skull fracture from his eye to his chin.
His partner, 21, sustained fewer injuries but was left with teeth missing after Martin’s attack.
Detective Constable Surinder Nota, who investigated the case, said: “This was a vicious assault motivated by homophobia. One of Martin’s victims suffered very serious injuries, but thankfully he is well on the road to recovery.
“Hate crime will not be tolerated in the West Midlands by our communities, the courts or the police. This is a very strong sentence which rightly reflects the gravity of the attack.”
The attack took place in late May 2011 outside the Lady Westminster in Acocks Green.
DC Nota added: “Martin was part of a group of men numbering four or five individuals – they were involved to a much lesser extent with Martin the lead aggressor. He was described in court as the ‘ring leader’.
“He admitted punching the couple but denied kicking one of them in the face which delivered the most serious injuries – however his actions were caught on CCTV camera footage.
“Martin also denied his actions were prompted by homophobia, but witnesses describe him hurling a barrage of insults at the pair and also making offensive gestures.”
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