Man beaten on Thornaby street by 'gang of about 20 kids because he's gay' - Teesside Live
Man beaten on Thornaby street by 'gang of about 20 kids because he's gay'
Tory Oliver witnessed the incident on Peel Street
A man was pounced on and beaten by a gang of youths - just "because he&apos;s gay".
The 20-strong mob kicked the victim in the face and stamped on his head in a shocking attack in broad daylight.
It happened on Peel Street, Thornaby at around 4pm on Tuesday as the man, in his 30s, popped out to the shop.
Passerby Tory Oliver, who witnessed the incident, said: "I pulled up in my car from work and I saw a gang of about 20 kids chasing this lad.
"I was a bit oblivious to what was happening but I saw him hit the floor and he had blood all over him.
"They were kicking him in the face and stamping on his head."
A photo widely circulated on social media shows the victim with a bloody face in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
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Tory, 21, from Stockton , said: "As I ran over they all scarpered and ran off, so I made sure he was okay.
"I went to take him home in my car but he said he only lived on the corner so I walked him home.
"The poor lad was frightened to death. He only went to the shop for someone it’s literally a two minute walk away.
"He said they were chasing him and beating him up, shouting &apos;gay&apos; and &apos;f****t&apos;. He looked defenceless."
A dispersal order is in place across the Mandale and Victoria areas of Thornaby until 4.30pm on Friday (Image: Copyright unknown)
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said the incident is being treated as a "hate crime".
She said: "Police received a report that a man had been assaulted by a group of youths on Peel Street, Thornaby, just after 4pm on Tuesday April 16.
" The 38-year-old man was left needing stitches to his lip and inside his mouth following the assault.
"Officers are investigating the incident and anyone with information regarding it or those responsible are asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting event number 63414."
A dispersal order is in place around the Mandale and Victoria areas of Thornaby until 4.30pm on Friday due to an "increase in antisocial behaviour and crime by groups of youths".
Man beaten on Thornaby street by 'gang of about 20 kids because he's gay' - Teesside Live
Man beaten on Thornaby street by 'gang of about 20 kids because he's gay'
Tory Oliver witnessed the incident on Peel Street
A man was pounced on and beaten by a gang of youths - just "because he&apos;s gay".
The 20-strong mob kicked the victim in the face and stamped on his head in a shocking attack in broad daylight.
It happened on Peel Street, Thornaby at around 4pm on Tuesday as the man, in his 30s, popped out to the shop.
Passerby Tory Oliver, who witnessed the incident, said: "I pulled up in my car from work and I saw a gang of about 20 kids chasing this lad.
"I was a bit oblivious to what was happening but I saw him hit the floor and he had blood all over him.
"They were kicking him in the face and stamping on his head."
A photo widely circulated on social media shows the victim with a bloody face in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
&apos;I have definitely been stupid&apos;: Salesman smashed up cars in rampage after love row
Tory, 21, from Stockton , said: "As I ran over they all scarpered and ran off, so I made sure he was okay.
"I went
 to take him home in my car but he said he only lived on the corner so I walked him home.
"The poor lad was frightened to death. He only went to the shop for someone it’s literally a two minute walk away.
"He said they were chasing him and beating him up, shouting &apos;gay&apos; and &apos;f****t&apos;. He looked defenceless."
A dispersal order is in place across the Mandale and Victoria areas of Thornaby until 4.30pm on Friday (Image: Copyright unknown)
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said the incident is being treated as a "hate crime".
She said: "Police received a report that a man had been assaulted by a group of youths on Peel Street, Thornaby, just after 4pm on Tuesday April 16.
" The 38-year-old man was left needing stitches to his lip and inside his mouth following the assault.
"Officers are investigating the incident and anyone with information regarding it or those responsible are asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting event number 63414."
A dispersal order is in place around the Mandale and Victoria areas of Thornaby until 4.30pm on Friday due to an "increase in antisocial behaviour and crime by groups of youths".