>> 15-Year-Old Boy Brutally Attacked By Group Of Teens After Coming Out As Bisexual
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Jamie Watson, 15 ans, originaire de Birmingham, dans le centre de l’Angleterre, a été violemment agressé le 22 juillet dernier, en plein après-midi et à quelques pas de son domicile, par un groupe d’adolescents qui n’« appréciaient pas » son orientation sexuelle. C’est du moins ce que suppose le jeune homme.
Dans un sursaut d’injures homophobes, en moins de 5 minutes, ils lui ont cassé trois côtes, fracturé le bras avec, entre autres ecchymoses, des dommages musculaires induits par la violence des coups, notamment dans la nuque.
« J’ai bien cru qu’ils allaient me tuer », a confié Jamie au Mirror. « J’ai vraiment souffert le martyr ! »
Il pense qu’il s’agit de jeunes qui l’ont déjà menacé à l’école après l’annonce de sa bisexualité. Mais il ne peut pas les identifier, les assaillants étaient masqués.
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Thugs broke schoolboy’s arm in ‘homophobic attack’https://t.co/RM4tuTsZf6
— Birmingham Mail (@birminghammail) 6 août 2016
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Ils se sont « acharnés », c’est « affreux », souligne la Police, qui pense aussi que le « gang » est de la région.
L’unité spéciale en charge de l’enquête a d’ailleurs lancé un appel à témoins et invite les agresseurs à se manifester, avant que « le marteau de la justice » ne vienne balancer devant leur porte : « Nous ferons tout notre possible pour les retrouver », a assuré le sergent-détective James Bennett.
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Confiance toutefois altérée, le garçon n’ose plus sortir de chez lui. Sa mère l’a envoyé chez ses grands-parents, le temps des vacances scolaires, mais elle s’inquiète pour la rentrée.
Autre agression, le même jour, mais à Stockton-on-Tees, dans le comté de Durham cette fois, un homme de vingt ans a été aspergé d’aérosol et brûlé au niveau des jambes, après avoir été interpellé sur son orientation sexuelle par quatre individus. Il a été hospitalisé et traité pour de graves brûlures qui vont nécessiter des greffes de peau.
Terrence Katchadourian
stophomophobie.org
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>> A bisexual schoolboy has blasted thugs who targeted him in a suspected homophobic attack and admitted he thought they would kill him.
Teenager Jamie Watson suffered broken ribs, a fractured arm and cuts and bruising in the terrifying attack.
The 15-year-old was set upon in Birmingham, by three youths he says had previously made homophobic comments to him.
West Midlands Police has labelled the attack as « truly horrendous » and are urging people with information to come forward.
Jamie, who recently came out as bisexual , told the Birmingham Mail : « The assault lasted five minutes. I was punched and fell to the ground, where I was kicked and punched all over my body including my head.
« It was absolutely terrifying and I feared for my life. There was three of them in total and they all wore masks. »
« I was in a lot of pain and was taken to Heartlands Hospital. I was struggling to breathe and was left with broken ribs, a fracture to my arm and cuts and bruises. »
« I also had damage to the muscles in my neck due to the force of the kicks to my head. »
« It was a terrifying experience and I staggered home covered in blood. »
Jamie said he had previously been harassed by the gang and targeted with homophobic insults.
He said: « I just want them caught now as no-one should have to go through this. »
His mum Sharron Patrick, 46, said: « This has knocked the confidence out of Jamie. »
« Jamie has now gone to my mother and father’s home, where he can at least go out of his front door without feeling threatened. »
« This is a solution over the school summer holidays but is not the long-term answer. He feels like a prisoner in his own home. »
The attack took place at around 3.30pm on July 22.
Detective Sergeant James Bennett, from Birmingham’s Violent Crime Team , said: “We are trawling CCTV for any clues and want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the attack to come forward.
« At this stage we believe the attackers could be local and we are sure someone knows who these men are. This was a truly horrendous attack that left the teenager with severe injuries that needed hospital treatment. »
« The attackers showed no regard for their victim and repeatedly kicked him to the head and body. Rest assured that we will do everything we can to find those responsible. »
« I would also like to directly appeal to those responsible to do the right thing and come forward as it is only a matter of time before we come knocking at their doors. »
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
