Advertisement

Student punched in face 'for wearing LGBT wristband' in vile homophobic attack at Wetherspoon pub

Sam Duffy, 20, who was subject to a homophobic attack: Lucy Young
Sam Duffy, 20, who was subject to a homophobic attack: Lucy Young

A student was punched in the face and subjected to a tirade of abuse in an attack that police are treating as a homophobic hate crime.

Sam Duffy, 20, said he was left feeling “incredibly vulnerable” after he was assaulted in a pub by a man who called him a “paedophile” for wearing an LGBT wristband.

He said he was eating alone at The Beaten Docket near his home in Cricklewood when he overheard a man and woman making “numerous racist and homophobic remarks” at a nearby table.

When he complained to a member of staff at the Wetherpoon pub, Mr Duffy, pictured, claims he was subjected to a volley of abuse by the bald, middle-aged man who allegedly said “all the gays are nonces” [paedophiles].

Mr Duffy, who studies at the University of Westminster, said the man then sat at his table and stated “give me one good reason why I shouldn’t punch you” before hitting him in the face.

The Beaten Docket pub, Cricklewood
The Beaten Docket pub, Cricklewood

He was left with a swollen eye and reported the attack to police. The history and politics student, who suffers from anorexia and depression, told the Standard: “The whole incident has left me feeling incredibly vulnerable. I now fear to show any signs of my sexuality or take gay friends in or near the pub and surrounding area in fear of further homophobic attacks.

“I have to go past the pub to go to work, and to be honest I get scared when I go past it. I shouldn’t have to feel scared so close to my own home.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed detectives were treating the assault on August 18 as a hate crime.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Detectives are investigating after a man was assaulted in a pub on Cricklewood Broadway. The 20-year-old victim was dining at approximately 11pm on August 18 when he overheard three people — a man and two women — making homophobic and racist comments. He informed staff of their behaviour.

“A short time later, the male suspect approached the victim and punched him in the face before all three left. The victim did not require medical treatment. Detectives are treating the assault as a hate crime. There have been no arrests.”

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: “We would like to apologise to the customer for the distress caused by the incident. We have zero-tolerance towards violent and homophobic behaviour in our pubs.”