People across Merseyside were left shocked and disgusted by a homophobic attack at a petrol station.
As the ECHO reported on Wednesday, a man in his 40s was punched from behind by a random attacker when he stopped at the Shell Garage on Crosby Road North to buy alcohol shortly after midnight on Thursday, January 30.
He had his hand stamped on while the attacker hurled homophobic abuse at him on the floor of the forecourt.
The victim was left with serious injuries as he tried to walk back to a waiting taxi and onlookers ran to help him.
Since hearing of the horrific attack, many ECHO readers have taken to Facebook to express their disgust at the attacker who "doesn't deserve to breathe the air we breathe."
"So sad - there is no need for hate like this of any kind"
ECHO reader Kyle Silverman said: "So sad. There is no need for hate like this of any kind."
Barbara Bridge said: "Sick evil vile people in the world WTAF. Hope the person this happened to makes a very speedy recovery."
ECHO reader, Kay Thompson, said: "Disgusting some people are just sick in the head!"
Helen Santangeli Mounsey said: "Some people don’t deserve to breathe the air we breathe!!"
The suspect is believed to have left the scene in a private hire taxi, along with a woman.
The victim was taken home in a taxi and later went to hospital to have his injured hand treated.
Police are appealing for witnesses
Detectives in Sefton are now appealing for witnesses to the hate crime assault in Waterloo last month.
CCTV enquiries have proved negative and we are appealing for anyone who has dashcam footage, witnessed the assault or has any other information.
Detective Constable Jaclyn Rainford said: “This was a disgraceful, unprovoked attack on a man who had been out for a meal and was on the way home when he stopped at the petrol station.
"The verbal abuse of the victim also means we’re treating this as a hate crime.
“Were you in the petrol station or nearby when this happened? We want to speak to all of those members of the public who kindly came to the victim’s assistance but would also ask that anyone with dashcam can check and see if they captured the suspect getting into a taxi afterwards.
“Our enquiries to trace the taxi are ongoing but your information might be vital, so come forward and we will take positive action.
“There is no place in our society for hate crime and Merseyside Police is committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
“It is vital that we give our support to anyone who believes they have been subjected to abuse or left in fear because of who they are and I want to reassure the public that the force is committed to taking action against those responsible for hate crime and building trust with all of our communities.”
Anyone with dashcam or other footage is asked to send it by clicking or tapping here.
You can also pass other information via @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
