Police investigate alleged homophobic attacks by groups of men

Police are investigating after two men were allegedly lured to different locations in Canberra via a dating app and then assaulted by groups of assailants in what is believed to be homophobic attacks.

ACT Policing said on 16 July, a man had gone to a home on Ada Norris Avenue in Denman Prospect to meet a person he’d connected with on a dating app earlier that morning.

However, outside the home, he was approached by four people who allegedly assaulted him before he was able to leave the scene on his motorbike soon afterwards.

“Police believe his helmet and gloves were stolen by the alleged offenders,” a police spokesperson said.

“The man did not require hospitalisation and provided a statement to police.”

Then, at around 2:30 am on Saturday (20 July), another man agreed to meet a man at a home on Investigator Street in Red Hill using the same dating app.

But shortly after he arrived, a group of seven to eight men appeared and allegedly began assaulting him.

During the assault, the group allegedly shouted homophobic slurs at him, as well as demanding money and attempting to take his wallet and keys.

The man escaped but was allegedly pursued on foot by the group, who continued to assault him in front of another home on Investigator Street. He was able to fight the group off on Discovery Street.

The group then allegedly damaged the man’s car.

The man later arrived at hospital for treatment of his injuries and reported the matter to police.

“Police are considering whether the same alleged offenders are involved in both incidents,” the police spokesperson said.

“Police are also urging people who are meeting face-to-face for the first time via dating apps to meet in a public place, such as a café, restaurant or shopping centre.

“We would encourage anyone who has information about these incidents in Denman Prospect and Red Hill, or any other similar incidents where people may have been targeted due to their sexual orientation, to come forward.”

Police want to speak to anyone who lives in the area of Ada Norris Avenue in Denman Prospect or Investigator and Discovery Streets in Red Hill who may have witnessed the alleged incidents or who may have CCTV footage that captured the incidents.

If you can assist police, contact Crime Stoppers quoting reference 7800123 (Denman Prospect) or 7803814 (Red Hill).