Hate crime outside the Troxy

POLICE ARE LOOKING for two men who committed a serious assault outside popular East London venue the Troxy in Commercial Road on 3rd December. To help the hunt, CCTV footage has just been released.

It was approximately 3am when Gordon Maxwell left the Troxy. He had been at themed evening there and was wearing a white dress under a brown jacket and Doc Martin boots.

It seems that his appearance drew homophobic comments from a man who was standing near some barriers outside the venue. That man is described as a white man of medium build who was wearing a blue coat. The coat hood was up, and there was a white peak showing beneath it – either part of the hood or a cap being worn underneath it.

A second man then ran up and punched Mr Maxwell’s face.  It is not clear if the two men knew each other, or if the second man’s attention was drawn to Mr Maxwell by the first man’s comments.

The second man is described as being between 19 and 28 years old and either Asian or black. He was wearing a blue puffa-style jacket which had a silver or what emblem on the left upper arm and dark tracksuit trousers with white lettering on the left leg. His jacket hood was up and he had dark trainers with thick white soles.

Mr Maxwell went back to the Troxy, where door staff gave him some medical attention. He later went to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured cheek bone which needed reconstructive surgery.

The suspect whom police are trying to identify.

Mr Maxwell, who is from Greenwich, said, “I fully believe I was targeted that evening because of my sexuality. I did not see the man that punched me; he ran at me from out of the blue, hit me and ran off. This incident has had a massive affect on all aspects of my life. I am afraid to leave the house and to be at home alone. It has totally shattered my confidence.

“I cannot feel the right side of my face including my right side of my nose. The surgeons say I may have permanent nerve damage. My mouth and right eye does not open fully and I have lost my sense of smell through one nostril. I would like to urge anyone who saw the attack or thinks they know the people involved to come forward as I fully believe they may strike again – they must be stopped and brought to justice.”

Detective Constable Alice Tiritas, from Tower Hamlets CID, said, “This was a vicious attack that took place very quickly outside a nightclub and has had very severe effects on the victim, both physically and mentally. We take hate crime like this extremely seriously and will do our utmost to bring perpetrators of this type of unacceptable attack to justice. If there is anyone out there who saw these two men or heard them abused Gordon, please contact us as a matter of urgency.”

•If you were in the area around the time of the attack, if you believe you recognise the suspect in the picture or on the CCTV, or if you have any other information about this attack, please contact the investigation team on 020-7275 4601.

•Read more about it:
Met supports Hate Crime Awareness week
Wanted – after homophobic attacks in Walthamstow

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