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Gay killing suspect freed by a passer-by
Felix Allen15 Oct 2009
A teenage girl suspected of joining a fatal attack on a gay man escaped when a passer-by mistakenly released her from the grasp of the victim's friend.
Ian Baynham, 62, died two weeks after an assault close to the South African High Commission in Trafalgar Square, central London.
Police continued to hunt three young people today, including two blonde teenage girls who were caught on CCTV nearby.
Detective Chief Inspector Clive Heys, who is leading the inquiry, said the victim's friend suffered cuts and bruises when he grabbed one of the trio.
But she was released before police could arrive by members of the public who wrongly thought she was being assaulted.
Mr Heys said: "Mr Baynham was a 62-year-old man who was simply travelling to enjoy a night out with a friend when he was attacked with such tragic consequences.
"Trafalgar Square would have been busy with people at this time on a Friday night. A number of witnesses have already come forward. However, we would urge anyone who may have information, no matter how insubstantial they think it is, to come forward - it could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
"Homophobic attacks of this severity are extremely rare in Westminster and we are working hard to ensure that the West End remains a safe area for people to enjoy.
"This was a horrendous attack and completely unacceptable and we will work hard on behalf of Mr Baynham's family to catch those responsible."
Mr Baynham, from Beckenham, south east London, suffered severe brain damage when he was punched and kicked to the ground. His attackers shouted homophobic abuse.
He was on his way to a night out in the West End with a 30-year-old friend when the attack took place on September 25 shortly before 11pm.
The two men had just got off a number 24 bus in Duncannon Street when three youths confronted them and shouted abuse.
The three suspects were sitting in the area earlier that evening and the man was seen giving one girl a piggyback ride.
Investigators said the three, all aged between 16 and 20, are suspected of shouting verbal abuse at other people as well.
In July, Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson highlighted his concern over an increase in the number of homophobic crimes in the capital.
Senior officers were told homophobic crimes have increased by almost 14%, an extra 39 offences, since April, and there has also been an increase nationally.
There have been three other suspected homophobic murders in the capital over the past year.
* Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 0208 721 4868 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (23)
Gary. He was not killed just because he 'was different'. There was an argument and a fight broke out. It does not matter what started it! It may have been someones sexuality this time but it could have easily have been something else hat means very little to most people.
Adults seem to be out of touch with youth of today and underestimate situations.
- Serox, London, 16/10/2009 10:49
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Kev, London-UK
Do you honestly think these scum are influenced by the popes stance on homosexuality. They were clearly out for trouble and if it had not had been this poor chap I'm sure they would have found an excuse to attack someone else.
- Dc, London, 16/10/2009 09:36
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There is a subtext to the issue of the lack of visible policing in London.....puts you off going out doesn't it?
Kettled in your home,not going out.
Is this the agenda for the powers that be?
Here I am on the computer,wondering whether to risk nipping to the local for a natter.
Brave new world.
- Jimfred, London UK, 15/10/2009 21:17
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It's interesting to see a number of comments referring to a lack of visible police presence. The simple fact of the matter is that rightly or wrongly the Politicians are of the view that you're quite simply not willing to pay for high-visibility policing. That's why they dreamt up Police Community Support Officer, but 2245 is a little late for them to be out an about...
There are 7.2 million people living in the Metropolitan Police Area, they're policed by 35,000 police officers... which sounds a lot... until you divert more than half on to non uniformed or front line duties (which is incidentally no one's fault, after all we all need detectives for instance). So that leaves you with about 17,000 (hopelessly optimistic as it happens, but let's be kind), they probably work across 5 shifts so that's 3,400 per shift.. yes that's right 3,400 people to police 7.2 million Londoners... or less than half a police officer for ever 1000 Londoners... Maybe my maths is bad? But I'd be willing to bet it's not far off...
- Jon, London, 15/10/2009 18:42
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There will be a candle lit vigil between 8pm and 10pm Friday OCtober 30 in Trafalgar Square.
- Phil, London, 15/10/2009 18:22
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We live in an age where many people carry mobile phones with integral cameras. Where are these phones when attacks are taking place, allowing a record of the incident to be taken.
Oh...I forgot...we would have to ask the attackers permission first as otherwise we would be charged by the police with abusing their 'human rights'.
- Richard De Meath, Bournemouth, England, 15/10/2009 18:09
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I did not write the pope was to blame "Jules,London London" please don't take it out of context.But seen as you mentioned the pope,I'm sure such statements we have heard from his lips such as gays are worse than terrorists!or homosexuals are a threat to the fabric of society etc etc these utterings are not said by him to promote tolerance and understanding are they now!And to be fair to the faithful i will mention certain Muslim clerics have been heard to call for the death of homosexuals,as have certain Christian groups,on only has to cast ones mind back to the Lambeth conference to hear the vilification of homosexuals,Heaven knows what the faith schools are perverting are children's minds with.
- Kev, London-UK, 15/10/2009 16:59
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My heart goes out to his family and friends, what kind of people would commit these acts just because somebody is gay? Makes me really sad for the future when kids of this age are still so homophobic, and it really speaks to the sad lack of education and responsibility by schools and most culpably the parents.
Jail time is too good for them, and would most likely be seen as a badge of respect amongst their peers, they should be sentenced to death. Why should any law abiding citizen have to pay for 3 meals a day and a cell to hold them? They don't deserve to live, they have no sense of humanity or mercy, just self-obsession and the idea that 3 people beating a defenceless man to death is a fair fight.
Either that or they should be jailed indefinitely and their family should lose any state benefits they would ordinarily get. They should have to pay the victims family and they should also have both social services and the police monitor their families and schools for a set amount of time. The environment these children grew up in is what has bred this hatred, almost like child-abuse, and should be held equally responsible for their actions. There needs to be zero tolerance.
However I can almost see the future, where they are sentenced to maybe 10 years each (at best), get out after 5 years and resume their worthless lives, having no education to do anything other than drink, spread intimidation and procreate, whilst living on benefits. The cycle then repeats itself.
- Rob, London, 15/10/2009 14:50
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Well whadda you know - someone DID intervene after all. They just got it wrong, probably jumping to the conclusion that women are more vulnerable to assault.
- Tom, London, 15/10/2009 14:44
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This story is really scary.I have often seen other Gay couples show each other affection in an unoffensive way.With out anyone blinking an eye. My partner and I, like Ian are unassuming middle aged Gay men.My partner works in the city and I often meet him for theatre, dinner etc.We use this area often to get to and from Waterloo Station.When we meet up with each other or similar friends we would great each other in a very European way with a kiss on the cheek.A Gesture which could not, and should not offend anyone.We have always beleived London, of all places to treat any Gender with respect.Due to these EVIL PEOPLE we feel they have turned the clock back many many years.They must be caught and punished to the highest degree.ALL GAY MEN AND WOMEN must stand up for Ian,so that this evilness never happens again on the streets of London or anywhere else.Rest In peace Ian, We Will fight for you and remember you xx Mick
- Mick, Epsom, 15/10/2009 14:27
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I agree about the streets in London and elsewhere in England not being policed. As a Londoner, living in America,I never see police on the beat when I return to London. Here in Philadelphia and New York the police are a visible presence on the streets because it is a proven deterrent. Why not in England?
- Robert, Philadelphia USA, 15/10/2009 14:20
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Kev from London thinks the Pope's to blame :0) Talk about cashing in on tragedy to promote your own agenda eh?
- Jules_London, london, 15/10/2009 14:09
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I'd known Ian for about 6 years & he was a lovely guy & great to get on with.
It is very sad to think you cannot go out on a night out to celebrate a new job or anything without having the fear of "Homophobic" taunts shouted to you.
I think the Metropolitan Police should do a lot more street patrolling rather than speed around in their shiny cars with their glitzy blue lights flashing !, I work in Soho & rarely see Police patrolling the streets by day, apart from picking on people who smoke weed in Soho Square.
I sincerely hope the Thugs who Murdered Ian Baynham get a lengthy sentence & not some custodial sentence or a community sentence.
Ian did not deserve to die how he did, he was merely standing up for himself on that night & I must say the CCTV image I saw in the newspaper was was not the best quality.
Rest in Peace Ian Baynham, You will be sorely missed by myself & all your friends.
- Huw, London, 15/10/2009 13:23
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Frankie: "Just as a matter of interest"? Please explain! The fact that the victim may have look obviously gay does not in any way explain/excuse what happened to him.
- Fanfan La Tulipe, London, 15/10/2009 13:19
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The problem when someone see's an attack going on is, who is actually the attacker and victim.
If you saw 2 women and 2 men fighting, most people would probably assume that the women are being attacked not vice-versa. But as we have seen by his case, and various other ones, and the recent female paedo cases, women are not the sweet harmless creatures we have been taught to believe.
Sadly most men if they were to intervene would probaly hit a man out of anger at a poor woman being beaten up, when in fact it could very likely be, the poor man being attacked.
So if you are a man being attacked by a woman,, you have more to contend with.
I have on a couple of occasions had women try to start a fight, so what do you do?
More police are definetly needed everywhere not just the West End, but I rarely see police about just useless PCSO's
- N Mills, London., 15/10/2009 13:02
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"This would never have happened in New York" says Ben but sadly a very similar case DID happen there last week.
I was just there and it was all over the nwews because they have shocking cctv footage of the beating. A check of the internet shows "Jack Price is in a medically-induced coma after being beaten by two men outside a 24-hour deli in College Point, Queens, on Friday".
"Just as a matter of interest, how did they know he was gay?" says Jack, I hope you are not trying to apportion any blame towards the victim for acting in an "openly gay" way in the street? Who knows at the moment how they knew? Ian was with his partner so perhaps they held hands or kissed? We should all have the freedom to do this without assault from utter morons.
- Lee Wilson, London, 15/10/2009 12:40
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You never see a bobby in the west end, unless they're zooming by in a car on their way to somewhere else.
- Derek, London, 15/10/2009 11:39
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Just as a matter of interest, how did they know he was gay?
- Frankie, Belgravia, UK, 15/10/2009 11:19
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Adrian, Seemingly its not the job of the police to deal with anti-social behaviour. Its a local authority responsibility. I think the point is that people who would say Mr Baynham got what he deserved by speaking out are wrong. The police statement is essentially saying that there is no justification for the attack. Whilst you and I might think that is stating the obvious, it is sad to observe that some people would disagree with that.
- Peace Maker, Battersea, 15/10/2009 11:14
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A chap guys goes out on a night out to celebrate getting a job and ends up dieing at the hands of street vermin...just for being different!!!!!. What a tragic story,I sincerely hope that the scum that did this awful deed are identified and caught as soon as possible. My condolences to his family and friends. Karma
- Gary, Surrey UK, 15/10/2009 10:59
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Chief Inspector Hays is quite wrong to say that you should remonstrate with yobs hurling abuse.
I made the mistake of confronting a thug once and the end result is that I have a dislocated jaw, facial scars, and I am lucky to still be alive.
So many of these tragedies could be avoided if only people would realize that in reacting they are simply falling into a trap. Often the abuse is simply a prelude to garner a reaction, in order to justify further attack. These are evil people who are simply looking for excuses to attack people.
The police seem fond of abrogating their responsibilities these days but in fact it is their job to deal with lawbreakers.
- Adrian, London, UK, 15/10/2009 10:21
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This would never have happened in New York, because they have police there who actually patrol the streets. It would be great if one day we too could have a police presence on our streets. Our police are very good at catching criminals, and there is much talk of 'rapid response teams', but by then someone has been assaulted or killed. Am I the only person who feels that we the public would be better off if there was a way of deterring crime BEFORE it happens, like a Bobby On The Beat? Rest In Peace Ian, and love to your family and friends.
- Ben Farrell, London, 15/10/2009 09:44
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Isnt it time that members of the gay community sought ways to protect themselves in this country!especially considering the facts of a 35% rise in homophobic abuse and 4 murders of members of that community this year in London alone,in light of those facts would it be considered unreasonable for a gay person to carry some form of personal protection!The hatred and bile being aimed at the gay community by certain groups who really should know better, is unprecedented,religious leaders,faith schools,politicians,the media,the Pope have all played there part in demonising the gay community and must surly be held responsible.I wont to see them in court charged with incitement to hatred and murder.
- Kev, London-UK, 15/10/2009 09:35
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