A group of British teenagers who attacked a lesbian couple on bus who refused to kiss for them have admitted that they did it for their own entertainment.
Gay couple Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan were traveling on a late-night bus in Camden, North London when they were assaulted by a number of young men in the early hours of May 30. The youths allegedly taunted and harassed them, demanding that they kiss in front of them. When Hannigan and Geymonat refused to comply, they were physically attacked.
Warning, some viewers may find the following footage distressing:A video of the hate crime was later uploaded to social media, where it quickly went viral, with social media users outraged by the homophobic acts of aggression. The CCTV footage shows them hitting Hannigan and Geymonat with coins and subjecting them to sexual gestures.
The teens, aged 15, 16, and 17 respectively, appeared in the Highbury Corner Youth Court on Thursday, November 28, where they admitted to public order offenses and a number of petty thefts.
According to BBC News, Prosecutor Saira Khan told the court "There is targeted behavior towards both complainants and that does relate to their sexual orientation."
Meanwhile, Judge Susan Williams stated that the couple was: "quite clearly directed towards this couple because of who they are."
Watch this news report about the homophobic attacks:Commenting on the case, Transport for London spokesperson Mandy McGregor stated: "This sickening incident was utterly unacceptable. Homophobic abuse is a hate crime and won’t be tolerated on our network.
"All of our customers have the right to travel without fear of verbal or physical abuse. We hope this case reminds all of our customers that they should accept everyone for who they are and they have absolutely no right to abuse them."
The three guilty men are due to be sentenced on Monday, December 23.