Oswestry victim's appeal over gay hate crime
A gay man from Oswestry, who had to have a brain scan after being the victim of an alleged vicious night-time attack, is urging his friends to share his experience on Facebook to raise awareness of the homophobic hate crime and to find his attacker.
Calum Murray, aged 25,said he had been in Yeovil, Somerset, with friends before the alleged attack, when he was punched in the face, fell to the ground and was kicked in the head and ribs.
Mr Murray told how he was walking home in the early hours when he met a Polish man.
He said: "We chatted for about a quarter of an hour until he mentioned girls and I told him I was gay.
"He told me where to go and pushed me. I said 'OK you walk your way and I will walk this way' but as I walked away he started shouting and came after me.
"He punched me in the face and I fell and he started kicking me in the head and ribs.
"I went to hospital for a CT scan. I would like the police to find this person. I've felt pretty low after the attack. I wanted to share the experience to raise awareness of hate crimes and their effects."
The alleged attack happened on Sunday, April 17.
Calum wrote on Facebook: "I refuse to become just a statistic and I think that every one of my friends and their friends should know that this still happens in our society.
"I was attacked by an individual who was 'offended' by my sexuality. It involved him punching and kicking me in the head and ribs repeatedly.
"You might think he just left me with bruises but he has left me with one bruise that will never fade, the memory.
"The degrading words he used were worse than the physical attack. And these will stick with me." I refuse to be made to feel small and belittled by such ignorance but this doesn't just affect me, but every person who has been marginalised for what they are perceived to be rather than who they really are.
But he added: "I would like to thank all of my family and friends who have been there for me. I'm so moved that one act of hate can show so many acts of love through what has been a difficult time. This is what will remain with me, not all the hate but all the love and support I have felt and continue to receive."
