A gay man who was beaten unconscious in a suspected homophobic attack is struggling to come to terms with what happened to him.
Jon McMahon, 32, was beaten up as he tried to flag down a taxi in Liverpool city centre during the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.
Jon fears his multi-coloured trousers and gold coloured shoes made him stand out to the yobs who targeted him.
He was trying to flag down a taxi under the Churchill Way flyover when he heard voices behind him calling him a "queer."
Jon does not remember what happened next, but he woke up on the pavement with a woman standing over him.
Vulnerable Liverpool FC supporter scammed out of £1,000 by fellow fan
The stranger offered to call an ambulance but John was able to walk home to Anfield and later reported the attack to police. Jon's wallet was stolen while he was unconscious.
Jon told the ECHO he thinks he was punched to the ground and then kicked in the chest and back. He said the pain had become worse over recent days and he was suffering from flashbacks.
He said: "I had been out in town on Sunday night with a small group of friends. We had been out around Mathew Street and then went to a few gay bars around Stanley Street and Victoria Street.
"My friends live in Wirral so we could not get a taxi together. We said goodnight and went our separate ways.
"I was struggling to get a cab so wandered down towards the flyover to try and flag down a Hackney around Hunter Street,
"I remember hearing voices behind me - one of them shouted 'queer.' That was it - the next think I knew I was waking up with a young woman stood over me."
Jon, who grew up in Huyton, said he was really struggling with what happened to him.
He said: "I went to the doctor the other day and walked past a building site. Some of the workers were swearing at each other and their voices brought the attack back to me.
"I have had to take time off work and I am struggling to sleep at night. Given my injuries I think I was punched and kicked.
"I am not sure when I will go out again in town for a drink but it won't be soon."
Jon said that he was trying hard to 'rise above' what happened to him and be the 'bigger person.'
He said: "When it comes to bigotry and intolerance I have always tried to be the bigger man. But I have been beaten up in my own city, so this is a hard one.
Domino's take action over sickening footage of RATS outside takeaway
"I was beaten up once before when I was at school. I was 14 at the time and I think some lads singled me out because I was a bit different. I ended up in hospital for a week but went back to school. But nothing like this has happened to me as an adult before."
Jon, who grew up in Stockbridge Village, said he first came out when he was about 17.
He said: "I told my best friend, but I think my immediate circle of friends and family had suspected that I might be gay.
"Once I came out it was fine. Everyone I knew accepted it and I just on with life. I got into a long-term relationship in my 20s, but that ended amicably. I come from a really big family and they have always supported me."
Jon added that he would like to thank the woman who watched over him after he had been attacked.
He said: "I just want to say thanks for making sure I was ok. I went back into work yesterday and it was hard. But I received a lot of support.
"I love Liverpool but I am really struggling with this."
Police told the ECHO they were investigating.
A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for information following a robbery in Liverpool city centre during which it is alleged homophobic abuse was directed at the victim.
"It was reported that the victim was walking to get a taxi on Hunter Street when he heard a homophobic insult shouted in his direction at about 3.30am on Monday, April 22.
Scousers pledge support for Muslim mum viciously attacked by thugs with scaffolding poles
"He was then reportedly struck to the head and knocked unconscious. He later realised his wallet had been taken during the incident."
Detective Inspector Tracey Ann Martin said: "This was a shocking and completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to get home after a night out.
"Thankfully he was not left seriously injured by the assault, but was clearly extremely shaken by what happened.
"There is no place for violence or hate in Merseyside and we are absolutely determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.
"We urge anyone who might know anything about who was responsible for this attack to get in touch with police, and are particularly keen to speak to a woman with brown hair who came to the aid of the victim immediately after the incident."
DI Martin added: “We work hard with partners to encourage the reporting of hate crimes in all its forms, recognising that it is vastly underreported across the UK. It is encouraging to see that there is a growing confidence among the LGBT communities to tell us about such incidents.
“The more action we take against perpetrators, the more confidence it will instil in victims that if they report incidents to the police, we will protect, support them and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
"Victims can report directly to the police where experienced hate crime officers will treat them with sensitivity and compassion, or via third party reporting centres in fire stations, citizen advice bureaus and hospitals where the information will be passed on."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100202304 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-informatio
