A gay man has been left facing facial surgery after a homophobic attack in a Preston club.
Hairdresser Daniel Jenkinson, 23, who was left covered in blood after the assault, says he is now frightened to go out in the city.
His attacker – Neil Bibby, 22, of Bramble Court, Penwortham, Preston – was sentenced to 200 hours' unpaid work, a t
hree-month weekend curfew, and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation by Preston Magistrates after he pleaded guilty to assault.
Daniel, from Ashton, had been with a group of female friends in the Academy bar in Preston on October 23 when Bibby, unprovoked, punched him and broke his nose.
Bibby was chased by one of Daniel's friends – a pregnant woman – who pointed him out to police, and he was arrested.
Daniel said: "I was stunned. At first I wondered if I had looked at him but I knew I hadn't as I keep my head down in straight bars. Some men get uncomfortable if you make eye contact with them.
"I think it was down to the fact I looked incredibly feminine. I wear makeup because it makes me feel better. Without it I feel disgusting.
"Many people in Preston are not tolerant of gays. The police are very understanding but the community has a long way to go. I feel more comfortable in Manchester. This was the first time in three years I had been out in Preston and look what happened."
Daniel went back to work with a splint on his nose and will have to undergo surgery in May.
There were 353 homophobic crimes in Lancashire between April 2007 and March 2008, compared to 309 the previous year.
PC Stuart Rutlidge, of Preston's diversity unit, said: "There's a lot of under-reporting, because people fear they may be outed to family and friends if it ends up at court. Others sadly become used to abuse and just accept it. People should feel safe in Preston regardless of their orientation."
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