Attacked for being gay (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Attacked for being gay

12:29pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

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A TRAUMATISED Bridgwater man says he is too scared to leave his home after he claims he was brutally attacked because he is gay.

Jason Saunders, aged 18, says he was repeatedly kicked and punched by five people he says taunted him over his sexuality and his ginger hair.

Jason says the incident happened as he walked to work along College Way last Tuesday at about 6.40pm.

He told the Mercury: “I was speed walking to work, racing my boyfriend, when I walked past them - then I heard them shouting abuse at me. They were calling me queer, ginger and telling me to get my hair sorted. I just didn't want any trouble, but all five of them came towards me.”

After the attack, Jason was taken to Bridgwater Hospital then transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton as he kept drifting in and out of consciousness.

He was left with a broken nose, severe facial injuries and bad bruising and is now scared to be on his own.

He said: “I can't physically move because I am in so much pain. I'm scared to leave the house and can't do anything by myself - I can't even go upstairs in my own home alone.”

His boyfriend, 22-year-old Gary Holman, added: “I tried to get him out of the house on Wednesday, just 100 yards up the road to a friend's house, but he was scared when someone shut their front door. Then he puked.

“Before, he was a funny, caring and happy man. Now he is a nervous wreck, frightened to go out and can't be by himself. It has changed him so much.”

Police say a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has been released on bail.

They urged anybody with information about the attack or who saw anything suspicious on College Way between 6.40pm and 11.30pm last Tuesday to call the police on 0845-4567000.

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