New Mills man jailed after punching and urinating on lesbian couple

Jamie Shaw, 26, of Buxton Road, new Mills was said to attack the couple "out of homophobia" on a train at Manchester Piccadilly railway station on January 30 last year.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the couple were approached by a man who started abusing them. They were then approached by Shaw who started urinating on them while laughing at them.

One of the woman confronted Shaw and he retaliated by punching her in the face, causing severe bruising and a fractured eye socket.

Shaw then tried to get away from the train, but one of the women phoned British Transport Police and officers immediately attended and arrested him.

He pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on February 1, and the charge was classed as a hate crime, said BTP.

He was sentenced to 28 months in prison yesterday, February 13.

Investigating officer PC Mark Haviland of BTP said: “This incident was absolutely deplorable and demeaning. The victims have been really badly affected by their ordeal and suffered horrendous injuries, both physical and mental, as a result.

“It is 2017. People can choose to live their lives however they like, without having to deal with the opinions and homophobia of a small minority of individuals like Shaw.

“I have to give credit to the victims for their outstanding bravery giving evidence, which was compelling.

“I feel the sentence given to Shaw outlines how seriously we at the police, the judicial system, and society, perceives hate crimes and will hopefully deter any other incidents of this nature.”

If you ever need British Transport Police, call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.