Two men jailed for homophobic attack

Two Crawley men have been jailed for attacking two men in a homophobic attack on Brighton seafront last year, police said.
Both men were sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on January 13. Picture: Sussex PoliceBoth men were sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on January 13. Picture: Sussex Police
Both men were sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on January 13. Picture: Sussex Police

Gage Vye-Parminter, 18, of Breydon Walk, and Matthew Howes, 19, of Weald Drive, admitted committing grievous bodily harm and assault on the two men in Kings Road at 5am on May 2, police confirmed.

Both were sentenced to five years and four months in a young offender institution when they appeared at Brighton Crown Court on January 13.

They were also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The court heard that officers in a patrolling police car were flagged down by a passing taxi driver who told them two men had just been attacked in Kings Road, on the south pavement opposite the Queens Hotel.

Officers found the two victims aged 22 and 24 and they were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to be treated for face and head injuries.

The 22-year old man sustained fractured eye sockets, fractured cheekbones and a fracture to his nose.

Both men were arrested at the scene and taken to custody for questioning, police said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The victims said the pair were walking behind them along the seafront shouting homophobic comments at them.

The 22-year-old, who now lives in Camberley, Surrey, said he then remembered being knocked to the floor and attacked before losing consciousness.

Detective Constable Sarah Townsend said: “This was a violent and unprovoked homophobic attack on two men who were singled out for their sexual orientation.

“This sentence sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their race, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate crime to report such behaviour and violence to the police.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: