The United Kingdom's Issue with Hate Crime

Two attackers have received suspended sentences and fines for beating up two gay men. A third has received a fine.

Ian Crutchley, 20, and Michael Poole, 19, both pleaded guilty to attacking their victims earlier this year, admitting assault and threatening behaviour. Both were given suspended sentences of four months and ordered to pay costs.

Gavin Shaw, 19, had to pay costs after admitting to threatening behaviour.

The incident left one of the victims with a broken nose and haemorrhaging to his right eye. Both men say the attack was all the more shocking because the village in which they live is generally accepting of their sexuality.

They have hit out at the sentences, warning that the men will be allowed to walk free if they “keep their noses clean”. (source)

They were allowed to walk free if they “keep their noses clean”. And they are shocked that these crimes still happen? It’s amazing.

The Metropolitan police have announced that they believe that the men who murdered gay bar manager, Jody Dobrowski (pictured), 24, on Clapham Common verbally abused a woman fifteen minutes earlier in a nearby street.

Mr. Dobrowski was found unconscious in the early hours of Saturday but died later in hospital. He had suffered a violent, homophobic attack that caused head, neck and facial injuries.

Det Chief Insp Nick Scola, who is leading the investigation made an appeal to the public for “anyone who had a similar encounter with these men or who may have seen them in the area earlier in the evening. If it was you involved in this incident please come forward so you can be eliminated from the inquiry.”

It emerged today that two 17-year-olds and a 13-year-old, arrested in Battersea, southwest London, who were arrested in connection to the enquiry were released on bail. (source)

Update - 10/24/2005
Two men were charged on Monday with the murder of gay bar manager Jody Dobrowski. [...]

Thomas Pickford, 25, who is reportedly unemployed and homeless, and decorator Scott Walker, 33, both from the Clapham area, appeared in a custody hearing on Monday. (source)

This was a horrific murder, yet, they were released on bond. Jody was beaten to death by two 17 year olds and one 13 year old. Yet they have been released on bail. Is there no consideration for what they may do again? Is there no consideration for Jody’s family, or the rest of the community?

I had hoped to visit the UK next summer in our travels to Europe. That has changed. I won’t go to a country where I fear for my safety, and I won’t go to a country who doesn’t take the safety of my community seriously. Apparently, the UK has some serious house cleaning to do.