Police investigate hate crime attack

The pair were on a night out in Huddersfield when they were approached by a gang of two men and two women, police said.

Yesterday the victim remained in hospital after receiving a serious head injury in the incident.

The men, aged 34 and 36, were assaulted in King Street on July 5.

Officers said they were walking along King Street from the direction of Cloth Hall Street at around 2.30am.

As they passed Vodafone, the pair were approached by the group of two men and two women. One of the men in the group was shadow boxing as he walked towards the two victims and as they passed, the suspect struck out at the 34-year old.

The second man with the suspect tried to intervene, but the suspect ducked under his arm and again punched the 34-year old, knocking him unconscious.

The 36-year-old was then assaulted and he received minor injuries.

Detectives say the group of four people then casually went on their way, walking onto Market Place and then in to John William Street before entering St George’s Square where they tried to get a taxi from Ex-Service taxis before leaving before this was organised.

CCTV has shown the suspect had been in Tokyos early on the 4 July, at around 11.40pm. He is described as a white man in his early 20’s, with short brown hair in a side parting. He was wearing a black low slung V-neck t-shirt, blue jeans and pumps.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “The 34-year old victim of the assault received a serious head injury as a result and is currently still undergoing aftercare in hospital. Due to the couple being gay, police are treating the assault as a hate crime and are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information to contact PC4788 Lee Brooke at the Huddersfield South NPT on 01484 436642, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”