Two homosexual males thought they had been ‘going to die’ after homophobic assault
- Daniel Timothy and Jordan Brook were attacked outside Blackburn train station
- Eight men aged between 17 and 23 have been released on bail pending further inquiries
Two gay men believed they were ‘going to die’ after eight masked-thugs left them bloodied and bruised.
Daniel Timothy, 31, and Jordan Brook, 36, had cut eye sockets, scars and swollen faces following what is believed to be a homophobic attack on Tuesday night.
The ‘frightening’ assault occurred outside Blackburn Train Station in Lancashire, after they arrived with Jordan’s mother, who has terminal cancer, at around midnight.
Earlier that day the couple had been to see ‘Burlesque The Musical in Manchester, but on their return a group of balaclava-clad thugs descended, hurling a slew of homophobic abuse and violent threats.
Station staff separated the two groups, but as Daniel and Jordan waited for a taxi the group continued hurl taunts before ‘charging’ towards them.
Daniel Timothy, 31, (right) and Jordan Brook (left) , 36, had cut eye sockets, scars and swollen faces following what is believed to be a homophobic attack on Tuesday night
The ‘frightening’ assault occurred outside Blackburn Train Station in Lancashire, after they arrived with Jordan’s mother, who has terminal cancer, at around midnight
The masked attackers mostly targeted Jordan by kicking him as he lay on the ground, but both men said they feared they might not survive the horrifying ordeal.
Daniel said: ‘In that moment we feared he was going to die – that’s for me personally, as well.
‘Once the kicking started in the head, I didn’t know when that was going to go on until. That was a very real fear for me in that moment.
‘We wanted to go and see the show for its celebration of queerness, and we’d had an amazing night.
‘So to have just experienced that when we were just minding our own business – for the fact that we were gay – on our own doorstep is scary.
‘We got attacked not far from the town centre. This is the area where we do everything in, and I don’t feel safe anymore.’
Lancashire Police have since confirmed eight people between the ages of 17 and 23 have been taken into custody following the incident.
The police force have said they are treating it as a ‘homophobic assault’.
Those arrested have all since been bailed pending further inquiries.
Daniel, a customer support officer, recalled a young man began verbally abusing them after they used the male toilets at the train station.
Earlier that day the couple had been to see ‘Burlesque The Musical in Manchester, but on their return a group of balaclava-clad thugs descended
The balaclava-clad assailants mostly targeted Jordan (pictured: hist injuries following the attack)
The youngster’s aggressive behaviour only escalated into physical threats, according to Daniel, who alleged the young man then had to be pulled away by two friends.
And the couple then left with Jordan’s mum, who sadly has terminal cancer, for an exit where they could catch a taxi home after telling staff about the issue.
But the three men, who were then joined by five others, spotted them from across the street and began to hurl more abuse their way, making fun of Jordan’s mum.
Daniel said Jordan, a hairdresser, had responded verbally to these cruel taunts, but the gang had then replied by pulling on masks and attacking them.
He said: ‘They just charged across the road. Initially, most of them went for Jordan, and they got him on the ground and were all kicking him in the head.
‘I was trying to fight a couple of them, just to get some off him.
‘And I ended up on the ground with another guy – and I ended up getting kicked in the head off two others as well.
‘That was just a bit of a blur until it was over. In the end, someone who we knew came across and tried to get them off us.
He added: ‘Jordan’s mum was a witness to the whole thing and was just crying the whole time, watching her son getting his head stamped on.
‘I remember getting up and just loads of blood dripping in clumps out of my eye.
‘Jordan at this point, after they got the lads off him, was curled up in a fetal position, trying to protect his head.’
Daniel said police had arrived at the scene soon after the incident had started and arrested all the men involved.
As the thugs attacked Jordan, Daniel feared both he and Jorden were ‘going to die’
Eight men aged between 17 and 23 were arrested and have since been released on bail pending further enquiries (pictured: Jordan’s injuries after the attack)
He and Jordan were then whisked to hospital in an ambulance and were treated for their head and chest injuries.
Daniel said: ‘Jordan had a lot of swelling and bumps on the right side of his face. And he had a very visible trainer mark on his forehead. Luckily, nothing is broken.
‘He got stamped on his chest, and his been in a lot of pain. He can’t see out of his left eye at the moment, he’s got an ulcer behind it from dirt getting in.
‘The injuries look horrific, doctors said he was very, very lucky.
He added: ‘I still have a split eyelid, which has left a scar, above my left eye.’
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: ‘We were called at about 12.05am on Tuesday, June 18 to a report of an assault on Railway Road in Blackburn.
‘Two men aged 32 and 26 were assaulted by a group of males outside the railway station. Thankfully their injuries are not life threatening.
‘Eight people aged between 17 and 23 from Blackburn have been arrested on suspicion of assault and are in custody.
‘Enquiries are ongoing into the incident which is being treated as a homophobic assault.
‘Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log 0010 of June 18th.
‘You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
