3 Men wanted over Birmingham Gay Village Attack

Police have released details of three men they want to speak to over a violent assault on a couple in Birmingham’s Gay Village.

The incident resulted in two married men being left bloodied and bruised.

The men have been identified as Sohail Khan, aged 24; Mosin Mahmood, aged 31; and Ishaaq Ayaz, aged 21, all of Birmingham.

After carrying out extensive CCTV, witness and vehicle enquiries, West Midlands Police were able to name the three men they want to speak to about the assault near Missing Bar.

Rob and his husband Patrick were outside the Missing Bar in Birmingham’s Gay Village on August 15, 2021, when they were shouted at and attacked with bottles.

The couple, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, said they had been at a friend’s housewarming party when they decided to go out in the village.

Rob explained that as they left Missing Bar, he made a joke towards a group of men inside a passing car.

The group then made homophobic slurs towards them.

The group then grabbed one of the victim’s phones and then attacked them with bottles.

Rob suffered several deep cuts to his head and arm while Patrick was knocked unconscious during the attack.

Meanwhile, one of their female friends suffered a foot injury as she was dragged along by the car whilst trying to get the phone back.

Both Rob and Patrick needed treatment in Birmingham City Hospital for their injuries.

Rob said he regretted chasing after the group but added:

“[The Gay Village] should be a safe area to be who you want and not have to tolerate people yelling homophobic remarks at you.”

Sergeant Marc Petford called the attack “shocking” and “outrageous”.

He said

“This was a shocking homophobic attack on two men enjoying a night out in our city.”

“It’s outrageous and we’re determined to bring to justice the people responsible.

“We have already completed a number of arrest attempts for the men; I would encourage them to hand themselves in and speak to us.”

Anyone with information on the three men’s whereabouts is urged to get in touch, quoting log 552 of 15 August.

Police have urged the public to help catch the men and contact them with their whereabouts by calling 101 or messaging officers on Live Chat via the West Midlands Police website.

Anyone with information can also call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

One of the men has since been arrested after handing himself into police on August 21, 2021.