Man jailed following homophobic attack in Brighton
A 32-year-old man was left unconscious in the street after he was hit over the head with a bottle
A homophobic attack in Brighton, which left a 32-year-old unconscious in the street, has landed a man with a five year prison sentence.
Sussex Police say Aaron Rhoods, 25, of Waterden Road in Guildford, was jailed at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (August 11) after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The successful conviction concludes a complex process stretching back to the early hours of Sunday, October 14, 2018.
Officers say Rhoods was one of a group of several men who began hurling homophobic abuse at a man in Kings Road, Brighton, at around 3.30am.
The group cornered and assaulted their victim, who was 32 years old at the time, hitting him over the head with a bottle and causing him to lose consciousness.
He was only resuscitated when paramedics arrived and his attackers had left the area.
Rhoods and an accomplice, 22-year-old Celso Dias of Disraeli Road, Wandsworth, were detained an hour later after being found trying car door handles in John Street.
Both men matched descriptions of the attackers given by witnesses and they were subsequently arrested and charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Rhoods was found guilty on June 2, 2021, after a number of court hearings over two years.
He was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge in addition to his custodial sentence.
Dias was given a supervision order for two years.
Investigating officer PC Russell Smith said:
"Brighton and Hove is a wonderful, vibrant city thanks in no small part to the incredible diversity and inclusivity of its residents.
"These convictions show that despicable hate crimes such as this will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be brought to justice.
"We will continue working to show that violence and hate are not welcome in our city and that Brighton and Hove is a safe place for everybody to enjoy."