Man Knifed And Boyfriend Beaten In Homophobic Attack In Gay Village – Todayuknews – Todayuknews
A couple have told how they were stabbed and beaten in a homophobic attack in Birmingham’s gay village.
One of the victims says he subjected to gay slurs before being knifed in the leg. His boyfriend suffered three wounds to the head and chest.
Lee Drayford, 53, said they were attacked by three men he described as Somalian while waiting for a taxi.
And he alleges after the ordeal the thugs followed as he fled to their hotel, the Pentahotel, and banged on the foyer window.
Neither victims needed hospital treatment for their injuries.
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Mr Drayford has accused West Midlands Police of taking close to three months to interview him over the crime – despite being alerted on the night. T
He said: “They haven’t taken it seriously. The hotel CCTV was there, now it’s gone.”
But a force spokesperson has stressed a thorough investigation is ongoing and appealed for witnesses and said officers have kept in touch with the victims.
Mr Drayford and his boyfriend, who has asked not to be named, were returning from an evening at bar on June 18 when the three men struck as they waited for a taxi.
The antiques dealer says his partner bundled him into the cab, which sped off, and he stayed to face the armed men.
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He later returned to the Pentahotel covered in blood.
Mr Drayford, from Thornton, Leicestershire, said: “I sensed trouble and said, ‘we have to go’.
“One (used homophobic slurs), the other pulled out the hotel key card from my pocket. I called him a thief and as soon as I said that he pulled out the knife. I was shocked and, as I jumped back, he caught me with the tip of the knife.
“One said something and my boyfriend shouted, ‘they are going to kill you’ and pushed me in the taxi. I feel so guilty.”
Mr Drayford says a businessman staying at the hotel rang police for him. Officers did not attend, he maintains.
“After about 45 minutes my boyfriend arrived. He had only one shoe, his cardigan was off,” he said.
“He’d been beaten up basically. He had blood all over him.”
Mr Drayford said he’s still traumatised by the incident and branded the attackers ‘scum’.
“Immediately afterwards, I felt anger and fear and I felt useless. I did feel suicidal,” he said.
“I used to be an out-and-about person. I used to be OK with people, I wasn’t scared to go into a crowd of people I didn’t know. Now I’m scared.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We carried out a full investigation into two men who were assaulted after spending time in Birmingham’s Gay Village.
“The attack took place around 3am on Sunday, June 18.
“One man received a stab wound to his leg which did not require medical treatment and the other man was pushed during the homophobic attack. It is understood three male offenders were involved.
“We conducted an extensive CCTV trawl and followed several lines of enquiry, while keeping in contact with the victims.
“The three offenders have not yet been identified and we will look into any further evidence that comes to light.
“If anyone has any information on this incident, please contact us.”
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