CCTV footage of a horrific homophobic attack in Manchester's Gay Village was 'so poor' that it could not be used as evidence, the Manchester Evening News has learned.
Attack Details
Lewis Bell had been out with his husband Peter on April 4 and visited bars in the village. Later that evening, homophobic slurs were shouted at him, and he was brutally punched to the ground as he got into a taxi. As the 43-year-old was getting into the back of the car at the junction of Sackville Street and Bloom Street, a man came up behind him, held the door open, and repeatedly punched him. He was then struck in the throat and sent hurtling to the ground, suffering a severe head injury.
Victim's Account
Lewis previously said: 'My partner got in first [the taxi] and I followed on the same side. As I went to sit down, a man held the door open, called me a f****t and other homophobic slurs, and started punching me repeatedly. My partner then tried to pull the man off me, but he swung for him too. The female he was with grabbed my partner to hold him back, and I was hit in the throat and knocked to the ground where I cut my head open. That's when they ran away. I am not sure if it was because they panicked because I had fallen and hit my head.'
After becoming more 'dazed and confused' over the following days, Lewis attended A&E on April 7, where a CT scan revealed delayed concussion and a bruised coccyx, which he described as 'really painful'. He was left with black eyes, bruising to his face, and a head injury.
Police Response and CCTV Issues
After reporting the incident, Lewis said he was 'absolutely disgusted' by his treatment. The case was closed weeks later because CCTV had been overwritten due to police delay. The suspect never faced justice. The Manchester Evening News has now learned that other city centre CCTV cameras captured the incident, but the quality was 'so poor' that it could not be used as evidence to prosecute or identify the attacker.
Lewis said: 'It makes you wonder what other cameras don't work or aren't good enough across the city centre. It's unacceptable.'
Apology and Commitment to Change
Greater Manchester Police has since apologised to Lewis, with senior officers hosting a meeting. He also received a letter from Deputy Mayor Kate Green, who described the police's actions as 'unsatisfactory'. The letter stated that the City of Manchester police 'fully accept that an unnecessary delay in securing the CCTV resulted in it being recorded over/lost'. Investigations into Lewis's formal complaint are ongoing, but the force has committed to being more efficient in gathering CCTV evidence.
Lewis said: 'I appreciate Kate Green's response and my meeting at the time with police. I genuinely believe that they want to make a change, but not enough was done for me. This cannot happen to other people.'
Council Statement
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: 'Firstly our thoughts are with the victim of this attack, no one in our city should have to experience violence or abuse when simply trying to enjoy their night. While the CCTV camera in operation in this area did capture the incident, it provided a wide shot of the area rather than close detail. At the time it was not possible to zoom in on the altercation, and during the course of the assault the alleged perpetrator's head was facing away from the camera. Going forward we will also look at our wider CCTV arrangements and work to ensure this does not happen in the future.'
The council added that all video evidence was supplied to the police, and efforts were made to identify the suspect, but it was not possible. They urged any witnesses to contact the police.
