A man and a woman have been arrested after a “homophobic attack” on a couple and an intervening bystander occurred during the early hours on Clapham High Street.
Police were called At around 4.20am on Sunday, February 12 after reports of the assault.
A bystander said on Twitter that he reportedly saw a woman slap a gay couple for kissing.
Abdi Duale, who witnessed the attack, intervened and claimed that a friend of the attacker then knocked him to the ground while shouting homophobic abuse at him.
Police have said that the assault is being treated as hate crime.
He then went on to praise the staff at Two Brewers Clapham and said that the police were swift to make arrests.
Abdi came away from the assault with an injured wrist and “did not require medical treatment”.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and affray and a 35-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assault.
Abdi wrote on Twitter: "Didn’t think I would have to post this, but it needs to be heard. Last night, at end of a brilliant night with friends I found myself in the middle of a homophobic attack."
"Two innocent gay men standing next to me on Clapham High St were slapped by a woman for kissing.
“I intervened and a friend of hers came out of nowhere and knocked me to the ground shouting homophobic slurs.
"Thankfully the excellent security & management at @2BrewersClapham intervened and the police were swift to arrest. I am more or less unscathed barring an injured wrist.
"I thought I would share this because even in one of the most liberal queer-friendly cities like London, homophobia is still a daily occurrence."
Didn’t think I would have to post this, but it needs to be heard. Last night, at end of a brilliant night with friends I found myself in the middle of a homophobic attack.
— Abdi Duale (@AbdiDuale_) February 12, 2023
Two innocent gay men standing next to me on Clapham High St were slapped by a woman for kissing.
A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 04:20hrs on Sunday, 12 February to reports of an assault on Clapham High Street, SW4.
“Officers attended.
“A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and affray.
“A 35-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assault.
“We await an update on whether they have been charged, bailed, or released without further action.
“The victim did not require medical treatment.
“The assault is being treated as a hate crime.”
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