Arrests made after woman and girlfriend attacked by gang of teenagers on bus for refusing to kiss each other
Police say they have arrested four teenagers after two women were beaten by a gang on a night bus after being taunted about their sexuality. Melania Geymonat and her girlfriend Chris were left covered in blood after the attack.
The Metropolitan Police have arrested four males aged between 15 and 18. They are being questioned at separate police stations on suspicion of robbery and aggravated GBH. CCTV is being reviewed by detectives.
The couple were heading home to Camden after a night out and were sitting at the front of the top deck of an N31 bus, when the group started shouting at them and throwing coins. When they refused to kiss each other the teenagers beat them, leaving them covered in blood, before stealing their belongings
Ms Geymonat, who is an air stewardess at Ryanair, has not been able to return to work since the attack, which happened at 2:30am on May 30. She is still receiving medical treatment for her injuries.
In a Facebook post Ms Geymonat, 28, said: "They started behaving like hooligans, demanding that we kissed so they could enjoy watching, calling us ‘lesbians’ and describing sexual positions.
"It was only them and us there. In an attempt to calm things down, I started making jokes. I thought this might make them go away. Chris even pretended she was sick, but they kept on harassing us, throwing us coins and becoming more enthusiastic about it. The next thing I know is that Chris is in the middle of the bus fighting with them.
"On an impulse, I went over there only to find her face bleeding and three of them beating her up. The next thing I know is I'm being punched. I got dizzy at the sight of my blood and fell back. I don’t remember whether or not I lost consciousness. Suddenly the bus had stopped, the police were there and I was bleeding all over.
"Our stuff was stolen as well. I don’t know yet if my nose is broken".
Prime Minster Theresa May condemed what happened to the women saying: "This was a sickening attack and my thoughts are with the couple affected.
"Nobody should ever have to hide who they are or who they love and we must work together to eradicate unacceptable violence towards the LGBT community."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the attack as disgusting and misogynistic. He said hate crimes against the LGBT+ community would not be tolerated in London.
Siwan Hayward, from director of compliance and policing at TfL, said: "This sickening attack is utterly unacceptable. Homophobic behaviour and 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 assault and we are working with the police to stamp out this behaviour on our transport network.
"We will do all we can to support the police investigation of this incident."
The Metropolitan Police have appealled for witnesses. Anyone with information should contact 101 or tweet @
metCC.
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2019...using-to-kiss/
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