Ivan Browne, 26, who was “hell-bent on violence”, has been convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent after assaulting a gay man who was leaving Bournemouth Pride with his boyfriend.
The incident, which occurred at Meyrick Park in the evening on 9 July 2022, saw Browne yell at the victim “you queer ****”, before grabbing his shirt and making him fall into a bush of nettles, the Bournemouth Daily Echo reported.
The victim, who has since been left “paralysed by fear”, suffered a fractured hand, a hairline fracture to his leg and bruising to his ribs after being punched and kicked by Browne. After a member of the public stepped in, Browne spat on the victim and stamped on his hand.
The victim, who said in an impact statement he is now too afraid to hold his partner’s hand in public, was able to escape to a nearby football club where the police were called.
In mitigation, Amber Athill, said the attack was “entirely out of character”, adding her client wasn’t homophobic and has a gay uncle.
She said the attack happened “because he was drunk and angry and looking for trouble”, having turned to alcohol following his grandfather’s death three months earlier.
Judge Robert Pawson condemned the attack as “disgraceful”, adding: “Your mother tried to hold you back but you were hell-bent on violence.”
Browne, from Poole, was given a deferred sentence until 28 February for inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.
Browne’s sentence will be suspended if he stops smoking cannabis, does not reoffend, stays in employment and saves £2,500 for compensation, the judge added.
