Alaa Alanzi says he was drunk when he went on a destructive rampage of an HIV/AIDS memorial in Manchester’s Gay Village.
The incident happened back in January. 23-year-old Alanzi broke several tiles and ripped up and burned photographs of the dead during a drunken fit of rage at the Beacon of Hope. This week, a judge has ordered he complete 160 hours of community service and pay £285 ($370 U.S.) after pleading guilty to criminal damage.
Alanzi’s lawyer maintains that his client did not commit the act out of antigay animus, but that his judgment was impaired due to alcohol. The lawyer also said that since the incident, Alanzi has begun taking medication for depression.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Beacon of Hope monument was erected in Sackville Gardens back in 2000 and was designed by Warren Chapman and Jess Boyn-Daniel and sits overlooking Canal Street, Manchester’s main gay area. It is the U.K.’s only permanent memorial for people living with, or who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.
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Two other men who were with Alanzi at the time are due to go on trial next week.
Related: Vandal Fails Miserably At Writing Homophobic Slur On Gay Couple’s Car
h/t: The Mirror
Photo credit: Jordan Sinclair
corktownboy
Surprise, surprise. NOT.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/drunk-ripped-up-burnt-photos-9690478
ChrisK
I’m sure it’s just mere coincidence that he also happens to be a Muslim.
Me2
@ ChrisK, there are people in all religious faiths who hate gay people and have done far worst things. I’d say Catholics, for example, have proven that many times over, especially during the AIDS crisis. So let’s not start acting like this is a Muslim thing.
ChrisK
Agreed. If it was some bible belt loon I’d call him on it. However, in this case it’s a Muslim. Two sides of the same crazy coin.
scotty
“i was drunk” is never an excuse for anything and if someone uses it, i distance myself from them as soon as im able.