A man has been jailed after launching a homophobic attack on a couple on their way home from Black Pride.
Teacher Michael Smith and his boyfriend Nat Asabere were at a bus stop in Brixton when Jabbard Mabounda assaulted them on August 19 last year.
Detectives identified Mabounda through CCTV which led to his arrest, Inner London Crown Court heard.
Mabounda, 31, from Brixton, was jailed for a year for the sickening attack in which he repeatedly punched Mr Smith in the face leaving him bloodied and wounded.
He was found guilty of one count of racially or religiously aggravated GBH and two counts of aggravated assault by beating.
After the attack Mr Smith wrote on Just Giving: “All of a sudden, a stranger who was also waiting at the bus stop, hit the guy who I was with and then started hitting me in the face.
“Luckily the bus we were getting turned up and we ran on it. That’s when I noticed blood on my t-shirt and it was coming from my mouth. I was punched so much that I had a split lip.
“Obviously, the experience was horrible. I was in shock and so confused what happened. But I’m not going to let this get to me.
“I am not looking for sympathy or pity because I see myself as being lucky. There have been LGBTQ+ people who have been hurt a lot worse than me, or even killed.”
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Pete Thompson from Brixton said after the sentence was handed down on Monday: “This was a vicious, homophobic attack committed against two men who were simply waiting at a bus stop. Mabounda is a violent person who has rightly been imprisoned for what he did.
“I commend the men who were assaulted for their bravery throughout the investigation.
“Tackling hate crime is a priority for the Metropolitan Police and we are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice. Homophobia has no place in our society and it will not be tolerated in any form.”
Following their ordeal both victims were supported by PC Andy De Santis and they sent the Met a letter heaping a praise on the officer. It said: “He [PC De Santis] has consistently checked on my emotional well-being and provided contacts for victim support. His dedication has gone above and beyond, and I believe he exemplifies the kind of support that is needed in such cases.”
Following the attack and a spate of others Mayor Sadiq Khan vowed to “never stop fighting for the safety, rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community”.