Two men arrested for Gay Bashing in Vancouver

Vancouver Police have recommended charges of assault in an alleged "gay bashing" that took place in the early morning hours of October 8th, 2010.

Shortly before 3:00 a.m., Vancouver Police were called to a reported assault near the Tinseltown Mall at Abbott and West Pender Streets. Two men were initially taken into custody at the scene but were released while the case was being investigated.

An extensive investigation was conducted with one suspect being located in Fort St. John and the other in Port Moody. The charges are recommended against the two men who were originally detained. In the event of convictions, police are also requesting that Crown Counsel assess the evidence that homophobic comments were allegedly made when determining if there is enough to support sentencing recommendations under hate crime provisions.

The men, a 22 year old from Port Moody and a 20 year old from Fort St. John, are not previously known to police. They have been released from custody on promises to appear in court.