Homophobic attack on couple in south London

Police in south London have released an e-fit image of a man wanted in connection with a homophobic attack.

He is accused of verbally abusing two homosexual men on a bus and striking one of them with a silver object.

One of the victims needed eight stitches to a head wound after the incident.

The men had boarded the number 87 bus on Queenstown Road, Battersea, and their attacker got off at Lavender Hill, just after midnight on 8 June.

The man, who was wearing a black padded jacket and a black hat, is said to have approached the couple as they waited for the bus on Queenstown Road and verbally abused them.

He sat behind them on the vehicle and continued to abuse them, police said.

He also made hand gestures which suggested he had a gun and threatened to shoot the pair, the force added.

"This was an awful attack on a gay couple who were simply making their way home after enjoying a night out socialising," said Det Con James Vinnicombe, of the Metropolitan Police.

"It is unacceptable that they were abused and attacked this way.

"I am appealing to anyone who was on the bus and witnessed the abuse or the assault to contact the police."

The attacker is described as aged between 20 and 25 and 6ft 2in (1.88m) tall.