ALFIE VICTIM OF HATE ATTACK
RUGBY STAR SPEAKS OUT ABOUT CITY CENTRE HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENT AS TEEN ADMITS HATE CRIME ASSAULT:
POLICE have confirmed a 16-yearold boy has been dealt with after former Wales captain Gareth Thomas revealed he was the victim of a homophobic attack in Cardiff on Saturday.
Mr Thomas, who appeared visibly shaken in footage he shared on social media, said he wanted to spread a “positive message” after being exposed to the hate crime due to his sexuality.
The rugby world has since rallied around the rugby player also known as Alfie, with a number of high-profile figures posting messages of support.
South Wales Police has now confirmed that a local 16-year-old boy has been dealt with “by way of restorative justice” after the incident, which happened at around 9pm on The Hayes on Saturday. It followed Wales’ thumping of Tonga with a 10-try thriller.
Police said the teen admitted assault and was apologetic for his actions, while restorative justice was at the request of Mr Thomas.
Restorative justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to enter a dialogue.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “We aware that a video has been posted on social media by former rugby international Gareth Thomas in relation to a hate crime which happened on The Hayes in Cardiff city centre.
“We can confirm a local 16-yearold boy was dealt with by way of restorative justice following the incident at around 9pm.
“Restorative justice was at the request of Mr Thomas and accepted by the teenager who admitted assault and was apologetic for his actions.
“Restorative justice is about putting victim needs at the centre of the criminal justice system, finding positive solutions to crime and encouraging young people to be accountable for the consequences of their actions.
“A hate crime is any crime motivated by hostility on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.
“Hate crime has no place in society and has always been a priority for South Wales Police.
“We encourage people, whether they are a victim or a witness of hate crime, to report it directly to South Wales Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
In his video, Mr Thomas said: “This morning I decided to make what I hope will be a positive video.
“Last night I was the victim in my home city of a hate crime for my sexuality.
“Why I want it to be positive because I want to say thank you to the police who were involved and have allowed me to do restorative justice with the people who did this because I thought they could learn more this way than any other way.
“And also to the people of Cardiff who supported me, helped me, because there’s a lot of people out there who want to hurt us.
“But unfortunately for them, there’s a lot more that want to help us heal.
“So this, I hope, will be a positive message.”
His video has seen more than 2,000 people sending him good wishes on Twitter, including Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb, who tweeted: “They picked on the wrong person there. Hope you’re ok. You’ve got my full support #legend”
Former Wales and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall also tweeted him to say: “Sorry it happened mate but there are thousands who support you. Love that you concentrate on the positives. Keep being a role model. Top guy.”
Broadcaster Phil Steele tweeted Gareth’s video, saying: “Hugely inspiring, uplifting and moving message which shows up the incident it describes as cowardly and despicable.
“Amazing stuff from a modern Welsh hero – let’s hope it leads to justice prevailing.”
Mr Thomas declined to elaborate on the incident when contacted by the Echo.