A gay couple were brutally beaten in the street during a vicious homophobic attack at the hands of hooded youths.
Jamie Edwards, 33, and partner Damian Hampton, 26, were left battered and bruised after the trio of yobs donning hoodies pounced on them from behind.
The teenagers targeted the unsuspecting couple outside a shop in Southampton, Hants – hurling homophobic abuse before launching into their four-minute onslaught.
They were violently punched to the ground and kicked in the head and were left helpless as they were followed from the shop before being punched from behind and “booted in the face”.
They were left with bruising to their arms, legs and ribs, along with cuts and grazes to their hands.
The couple now fear they will suffer another homophobic attack and have since vowed to never “walk to that shop again”.
Officers from Hampshire Police confirmed the incident is being treated as a hate crime. A force spokesperson said: “We are investigating an assault which took place near the One Stop shop in North East Road, Sholing at around 3.45pm on December 4.
“Anyone with information, or who witnessed this incident, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting the reference number 44190436605.”
