Man jailed for homophobic attack in Margate

An 18-year-old man has been jailed after carrying out a homophobic attack in Margate.

During the evening of Sunday 6 August 2017 two women were walking down Grosvenor Hill in Margate when they were approached by a group of people.

One of the group, Tyler Crane, confronted the victims with homophobic abuse before swinging a wooden plank with nails in at them.

The group closed in on the victims and assaulted them. Crane was seen to drag one of the victims along the ground by her hair before punching her.

She sustained bruises as a result of the attack.

During the incident Crane also stole the other victim’s bag which contained a mobile phone, bankcard, glasses and other personal items.

Following an investigation by Kent Police, Crane was identified by local officers as being the main suspect, and he was arrested in September.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Crane, of The Parade, Birchington, admitted the charges of the hate crime-aggravated assault by beating, affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and theft.

Crane was sentenced to 18 months in a youth offenders institute when he appeared in court on Friday 17 November 2017.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steve East said: ‘This was an unprovoked, nasty attack on a couple by someone who was behaving as if he was a big deal, but in reality he just had small-minded, hateful views.

‘Hate crimes can be so distressing for the victims so it’s important for our officers to bring the offenders responsible for those crimes to justice, as it sends out a clear message that  such behaviour is not acceptable.’

Protecting and serving the people of Kent