Brandon Forrester, the British 19-year-old who admitted to a brutal attack on a gay man in 2019, will receive a suspended prison sentence for his role in the beating. His victim, Ryan Williams, is expressing his outrage.
The attack itself happened on July 13, 2019 in Manchester’s Gay Village. Williams, then 24, walked home from his job when he was spotted by Forrester. Upon seeing him, Forrester approached Williams and began beating him while shouting “gay is wrong” and “you all need to die.” Williams lost consciousness during the attack and woke up in the hospital sometime later.
Later, in court, Forrester admitted to the attack and showed little remorse. A judge in the case sentenced Forrester to a nine-month stay in a juvenile institution, but then suspended the sentence due to COVID-19.
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A furious Williams voiced his disapproval to the UK newspaper The Mirror.
“As soon as the judge said the sentence was suspended I just left, I don’t know how I feel about it,” Williams said. “After court, he started laughing at my mum’s face, he showed no remorse. It was disgusting. It’s been the longest 18 months of my life, I’ve gone through so many emotions. I’ve been put through emotional and physical trauma and after 18 months it feels like nothing has come of it. I’ve never been through anything like this. And he’s just been told not to do it again.”
“I want people to be brave and speak out if things like this have happened to them,” Williams added. “People think homophobia isn’t an issue anymore, but things like this are still happening to people just because of who they are. I didn’t sleep for months, I drank for months, it was horrible. Part of me feels like everything I have been through for the last 18 months is for nothing, but if my story helps someone else then it was worth it.”
In the same interview, Ryan Williams also said that he nearly died from injuries during the attack, and that the incident has left him traumatized. Scarring from the attack also forced him to end his career as an aspiring drag queen.
“I lost so much confidence,” he said. “I used to be so confident and bubbly. But now I really overthink everything I do, and question myself. I don’t really go out and I don’t socialize.”
Cam
Because judges are bigots too
Chrisk
Wow. The attacker said he wanted to kill him and nearly did. That should’ve been attempted murder along with an additional hate crime charge. The judge didn’t even slap him on the wrist.
Not Forester has been emboldened to do it again and again. Good job judge.
darklight413
Homophobic judge. It’s as simple as that. He probably even cited his “religious freedom” when condoning this heinous attack which is exactly what this is. The judge is sending a clear message that queers are not entitled to protection under the law. He should be disbarred.
cuteguy
Don’t they have hate crime laws in Great Britain? Absolutely appalling. If the victim was a female or African American, I think there would be more outrage. But bc the victim is gay, it sends a message that it’s acceptable. What year is this?
Chrisk
I was just thinking that he needs to go after the douchebag civilly. Make him pay for the damage. I’d say a good attorney can get something into the hundreds of thousands in damages.
Fahd
Despicable injustice! Where’s the victim services and advocacy in a case like this? The criminal justice system does not have a deterrent effect when a cold-blooded attempted murderer gets a suspended sentence. Better to have delayed serving of the sentence until the convicted criminal could be vaccinated or the covid risk reduced. Suspended is wrong and encourages other crazies to beat now while the sentences are being suspended. My heart goes out to the victim, Williams. I hope in time he can somehow overcome what has happened.
wikidBSTN
The judge could have come up with an alternative punishment – like community service – picking up trash along the motorway. Just letting him off denied not only the victim, but the people, the justice they deserve.
yah_sure_youbetcha
What are the options for a civil suit under UK law?
ShiningSex
The system is pathetic when it comes to gay violence
geoespar
You would think the British would have hate crimes laws in place to command a mandatory five year sentence without exception, and take away any ability for any judge to suspend or lessen the sentence. Incredible. The Gay Community of England needs to press the issue and demand the law be changed and be more strict as for punishment for hate crimes. .
Jon in Canada
This is where extra-judicial action is required. The canal is deep in places or you could find a nice pig farm just outside the city to dispose of the problem. Just a suggestion.
CurtisIsTheOne
Yes to the pig farm. Because homophobic bigots are EXTRA TASTY to ravenous piggies. And he should be given just a lttle Rohypnol to keep him awake but incapacitated so he can feel it when the hogs chomp down on him. The Rohypnol provider should scream out a few choice phrases like “Homophobic bigots get eaten by piggies” OR “Piggies love the taste of 19 year old gay bashers”. That is something he’ll remember. That is, until the piggies have their way with him. Problem solved.
James
THE JUDGE IS OBVIOUSLY ANTI GAY.
SFMike
Another Christian judge forcing his values on the real world of diversity. Screw right wing “family values” justice.
Leash
I hope karma steps in and that he gets what he deserves, times ten.
And I hope the victim finds his confidence back. I don’t know what I would do after that, maybe he should take self defense classes, or carry pepperspray with him, or anything that would help him feel more powerful again.