Nurse, 46, punched in ‘hate crime’
TO WALK HOME
A UNIFORMED nurse returning from work was attacked outside his home in a sickening hate crime.
Robert Stevenson, 45, was approaching his address in Salford when he was punched by a thug.
He was taken to hospital and had to undergo an electrocardiogram [ECG] after suffering severe bruising to his chest area.
Mr Stevenson, who works in a local care home and has been a nurse for more than 13 years, believes he was the victim of a homophobic attack.
He was forced to take two days unpaid off work and has since been back to hospital with severe chest pain.
He says he is now too scared to walk home at night, fearing that he could be attacked again.
Robert told the M.E.N.: “I was walking home from work in my nurse uniform and as I approached my front gate, there was a car with people in it and a guy stood there.
“He looked like he was waiting for someone.
“I just told him that if he was waiting for someone, I could go knock on their door for him. Suddenly, he just punched me really hard in the sternum – to the point that I had to go to A&E and have an ECG.
“When I reported it to police I was told someone would come round. I do believe this was a hate crime.
“I am openly gay and I was wearing my nurse’s uniform.
“I don’t believe they would have just done this to anyone that walked past. I am living my life thinking that every time I come home from work I am going to be assaulted again.
“I don’t think I should have to feel like this so close to where I live.”
Robert claims he was initially led to believe the case would not be pursued because of lack of resources.
However, police told the M.E.N. they were investigating the offence as a hate crime.
A spokesman said: “At around 8.46pm on Saturday, August 11, police received a report that a man had been assaulted in Salford.
“Officers began an investigation and received further information that this was a hate crime.
“Inquiries are ongoing into the incident and police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact police on 101 as soon as possible, quoting reference number 1974 of August 11.”