Teenager left traumatised by brutal homophobic attack
A gay teenager has told how a five-man homophobic attack has left him traumatised.
Jason Saunders, aged 18, was left with a broken nose and bruising after being jumped on by a five-strong gang after they started shouting abuse at him as he walked to work from the Sydenham area of Bridgwater with his partner, Gary Holman. The attack happened on June 23 at around 6.40pm.
-
Jason Saunders
Turning on to College Way, he walked past a group of five people. The group started shouting abuse at him, calling him "queer" and "ginger", telling him to "sort out his hair colour".
Jason said: "I asked them why they were shouting abuse at me and the next thing I know, all five people were attacking me.
"They were kicking and punching me in the face and still calling me names."
After the attack, Jason was rushed to Bridgwater Hospital, before being taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton as doctors were worried about him drifting in and out of consciousness.
He has been left traumatised and in fear of his safety. Left with a broken nose and bruising, he has become totally reliant on other people.
He said: "I don't like going out of the house on my own and I don't like staying in my own home alone.
"I am in constant pain and I can't see through my left eye."
Gary is very concerned about Jason, saying how, since the attack, he'd tried to persuade him to walk 100 yards down the road to their friend's house.
Apparently, Jason was so overcome with fear than when someone shut a front door as they walked past, he vomited out of pure terror.
Gary said: "Before, Jason was a caring, funny and a happy person and now he is a nervous wreck who is frightened to leave the house.
"He can't be left on his own. This attack has changed Jason so much."
A 29-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail pending further investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 0845 4567000.
Comments
by Liz Church, Glasgow
Sunday, July 05 2009, 10:39AM
“I'm very saddened to learn of this awful attack on a young man. I know College Way very well as I used to attend several courses at the College itself. It needs to be a safe place for all who wish to go there who are intent on improving their knowledge and improving the lot of the community.
My dad used to run a building business in Wedmore and we had Bridgwater lads on our books for many years. You're a lovely bunch and I knew your kindness as I was growing up.
My brother learned his brick-laying skills at the college as a teenager.
I know that the good brickies, chippies and sparkies will be in the pubs of Bridgwater with their ears open. If you know of anything that will bring to account the thugs who perpetrated this awful deed, I ask you to talk to Avon and Somerset; I've known them to take such things seriously from previous experience.
If you have any reluctance to deal with the police, don't forget that Crimestoppers provide a service where you can leave information anonymously.
I'm in Glasgow these days, pursuing my career, but I will never forget my upbringing on The Levels and Bridgwater's part in it. I won't let a few thugs tarnish the reputation of Bridgwater if I can help it.
So Bridgwater Builders, we've put the place together, can't we keep it tidy?
With best wishes and a firm purpose
Liz, away in Glasgow xx”