Police investigate Bristol homophobic attack
The victim has been left with a broken eye socket
Police in Bristol are looking into a suspected homophobic attack outside a Bristol venue known for its inclusivity.
A man was attacked by three others outside the Seamus O'Donnell's Pub on St Nicholas Street in the early hours of Saturday.
The victim, in his 20s, was outside the venue at around 2am when he was assaulted and left with a broken eye socket.
Bristol Central Chief Inspector and Co-Chair of Avon and Somerset Police’s LGBT+ Staff Network Vicks Hayward-Melen said: "This is a very concerning incident, which we are treating as a hate crime, and I want to reassure everyone affected that we’ll investigate fully.
"The victim was simply enjoying a night out with his partner when he was attacked by three men.
"This is completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate it."
The suspects are all described as white, two around five foot nine inches tall and one between five ft six and five ft eight.
The shorter man is described as bald, with short, brown facial hair and was wearing a blue buttoned-up jacket, blue jeans and white trainers.
Of the other two one is described as having strawberry blonde hair with a long fringe and was wearing white trainers, black jeans, a black puffed coat and a white T-shirt, while the other, also with strawberry blonde hair, was wearing white trainers, beige chinos, a black zip top with white T-shirt.
“We’re carrying out numerous enquiries, including speaking with witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage from around the area, to identify those responsible and ensure they’re brought to justice for their actions," CI Hayward-Melen said,
"Following this incident, we are liaising with the victim, and staff from the bar to keep them informed on the progress of our investigation.
"Our neighbourhood policing teams continue to work hard to ensure Bristol is a safe place for people to live, work, visit and enjoy, and where everyone can be themselves without fear.”
If you recognise the descriptions of the suspects or know anything else about what happened, it's asked you call 101 and quote the reference number 5224016520.