Man's horror at homophobic attack

The police are investigating the attack

A man has said he was "left for dead" in what police have described as a homophobic attack.

Stephen Scott, 27, was walking home near Ballyduff Brae in Newtownabbey on Wednesday night when he was attacked.

Three youths, thought to be in their late teens, knocked him to the ground and continued kicking and punching him as they shouted insults.

Mr Scott is being treated in hospital for a head injury, a leg injury and broken ribs.

"As far as I'm concerned they're scum," he said.

"It's enough to take a life - there were three of them on me and I was left for dead."

He urged victims of homophobic attacks not to be afraid to tell police.

David McCartney from the Rainbow Project gay support group said such victims need to come forward to get support and that police could intervene to help.

"It's a matter of coming forward and accessing it, I can't emphasise enough how important it is not to suffer in silence," he said.

The police are investigating the attack.