Stockton man set on fire in homophobic attack
20-year-old man suffered serious burns.
An investigation's been launched by police following an attack on a 20-year-old man which left him with serious injuries, requiring skin grafts.
It happened around 3am in the morning on Wednesday 20th July when the victim was walking through the grounds of Holy Trinity Church on Yarm Lane, Stockton, in an area known locally as ‘The Chuggy’.
A group of four men then confronted him and began questioning the victim about his sexuality.
He ignored them and continued walking onto Parliament Street. One of the men then approached him from behind and sprayed an aerosol can at the victims legs which he then set alight, causing serious burns to the victim’s calves, before the group of men then made off towards Yarm Lane.
The man who allegedly lit the aerosol is described as white, in his early 20s, medium build, with short blonde hair. He was bear chested and wearing jogging bottoms.
The victim was taken to North Tees University Hospital to be treated for his burns, which were serious and required skin grafts.
Officers are treating this as a homophobic hate crime and are asking anyone with information to come forward and call police on 101.