Canterbury Crown Court, where the case is being heard

by Paul Hooper

A Canterbury paramedic has claimed he was subjected to homophobic and racist abuse... by a gay man.

Richard Steinbeck had been drinking with friends in the G Bar, in King Street, when he was attacked after leaving to go home.

He told a jury at Canterbury Crown Court how he heard racist and homophobic comments before being punched and kicked.

"It all happened very quickly but I felt lots of kicks and punches. I then heard some people saying unpleasant things."

Dillon James, 20, has pleaded guilty to assault and will be sentenced later.

His 23-year-old lover Barry Inns, of Fordwich Road, Sturry, had denied the charge and was on trial.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service case collapsed mid-trial and Mr Inns was formally acquitted when no evidence was offered.

A third man, Sebastian Marsh, 23, of The Street, Adisham, was also acquitted after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said: "This case concerns an unprovoked attack by three men on Mr Steinbeck in October 2010.

"They had been to The G Bar, which is also known as Cromwells."

The prosecutor said Mr Steinbeck's group had been drinking with friends and recognised Dillon James as someone he knew.

"Dillon would be one of the men who would later attack him. However, as far as Mr Steinbeck was concerned there had been no ill feeling among them," he added.

"it all happened very quickly but i felt lots of kicks and punches. i then heard some people saying unpleasant things" – richard steinbeck

Just after midnight, the paramedic invited his group to his home and they left the bar and walked along King Street and into Mill Street.

It was there they became aware of another group behind them, some still carrying beer glasses, shouting things – and a glass was thrown over their heads which smashed in the street.

"The next thing he was aware was one of the following group began squaring up to his friend Robbie Nevins after shouting at him: 'What the f*** are you looking at?

"Mr Steinbeck stepped in between them and someone, he knows not who, threw a punch at him – hitting him on the head.

"He fell to the ground and some of the group following started to punch and kick him while he was on the ground.

"He recognised Dillon James as one of the persons in the group and said he felt quite shocked," he told the jury.

As he staggered away bleeding from a slash wound in his side – which later needed 10 stitches – Mr Steinbeck heard someone make homophobic and racist comments.

Another of Mr Steinbeck’s friends claimed he saw all six people in the following group taking part in the unprovoked attack.

The prosecutor said after the attack, Mr Steinbeck and friends returned to the bar where "they felt they would be safer".

The trial continues.