Lenny
11-29-2005, 04:07 AM
Couple claim attack 'racist'
A young Belfast couple attacked on a night out at the weekend believe racism was the motive for the attack.
Thomas Whiteside was beaten-up in the Dublin Road early on Sunday morning after a night out with his girlfriend, her brother and his fiancee.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41067000/jpg/_41067408_couple203.jpg
Thomas Whiteside said attackers
shouted racist abuse
His girlfriend, Michelle Daniels, and her brother are both half-Burmese and the men were attacked leaving a club.
"Walking home we heard them shouting racial abuse at my girlfriend and my brother-in-law," he said.
He said that they beat him with bottles and smashed his teeth.
"I walked after him and I thought he was dead - they had just left him for dead," Michelle said.
Thomas sustained facial injuries and his girlfriend's brother - who had been celebrating his engagement - had his arm broken by a gang of males.
"I worry about my wee brother going out because it's mostly fellas that are getting attacked for the colour of their skin and I just think it is disgusting," Michelle added.
The couple have urged young people to be on the alert when they go out and have appealed for an increased street police presence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4478138.stm
A young Belfast couple attacked on a night out at the weekend believe racism was the motive for the attack.
Thomas Whiteside was beaten-up in the Dublin Road early on Sunday morning after a night out with his girlfriend, her brother and his fiancee.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41067000/jpg/_41067408_couple203.jpg
Thomas Whiteside said attackers
shouted racist abuse
His girlfriend, Michelle Daniels, and her brother are both half-Burmese and the men were attacked leaving a club.
"Walking home we heard them shouting racial abuse at my girlfriend and my brother-in-law," he said.
He said that they beat him with bottles and smashed his teeth.
"I walked after him and I thought he was dead - they had just left him for dead," Michelle said.
Thomas sustained facial injuries and his girlfriend's brother - who had been celebrating his engagement - had his arm broken by a gang of males.
"I worry about my wee brother going out because it's mostly fellas that are getting attacked for the colour of their skin and I just think it is disgusting," Michelle added.
The couple have urged young people to be on the alert when they go out and have appealed for an increased street police presence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4478138.stm