Pair sought after homophobic assault

POLICE have released CCTV images of two men they wish to speak to in connection with a homophobic attack on a man in Oldham.Officers are currently investigating reports of a hate crime outside a club on Yorkshire Street at 3.20am on Saturday, November 5.

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POLICE have released CCTV images of two men they wish to speak to in connection with a homophobic attack on a man in Oldham.

Officers are currently investigating reports of a hate crime outside Bamboogy nightclub on Yorkshire Street at 3.20am on Saturday, November 5.

Sam Cooney (21) was in a club with his partner when an altercation ensued between himself and three other people which resulted in two men being ejected from the club.

Punched

The victim then went outside with his partner for a cigarette, where the altercation that began in the club continued and he was repeatedly punched in the face and had homophobic abuse hurled at him.

A short time later, the victim was walking along Yorkshire Street when a further confrontation ensued and he was taken to hospital with facial injuries, including a fractured bone in his face.

Officers have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

One of the men is described as white, aged between 20 and 25-years-old and was wearing a blue t-shirt.

The other man is described as Asian, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 9in and also aged between 20 and 25-years-old. He is of a chubby build and was wearing a shirt.

Police Constable Laura Cheetham of GMP's Oldham Borough, said: "We have been carrying out our enquiries for more than two months now but need the public's help to make further progress.

"I'd encourage anyone who recognises the men in the CCTV images or the description of the men who were in the area at that time, to get in touch with us."

"We take reports of hate crimes extremely seriously and I'd like to stress that it will not be tolerated on the streets of Greater Manchester."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8922, 101 quoting reference number 1940 of 05/11/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.