Police shift gears on bashing investigation

Police this week released CCTV of four men possibly connected to the last month’s violent attack on Craig Gee and Shane Brennen and contacted taxi drivers who may have carried the assailants.

This follows outrage in the gay and lesbian community over last week’s revelation of the futility of reporting homophobic violence in the Surry Hills area.

The first man is of Aboriginal appearance, 20 to 25 years of age and wearing a yellow Puma jumper, blue knee-length shorts with a white stripe and white runners.

The second man is of Aboriginal appearance, 25 years of age, 183cm tall and wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper, black shorts and white runners.

The third man was wearing a white jumper, black track suit pants and white runners.

The fourth man is also of Aboriginal appearance, 15 to 17 years of age, with short curly ginger-coloured hair, a thin build and wearing a dark blue and white striped polo shirt.

Anyone able to assist with inquiries has been urged to contact Surry Hills Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

They’re doing something now, not heaps but a little bit, investigating the taxi drivers who picked them up, Gee said.

It’s been a month since it happened. Maybe if he did it straight away they may have remembered more. But it’s better late than never.

Optus traced the threatening calls made to the victim’s family and friends from the stolen mobile to receiver towers in Surry Hills and North Sydney, indicating to Gee his attackers were local and could be identified.

Police initially failed to release CCTV of the men using Gee’s stolen credit cards but, after increased pressure from the media and the gay and lesbian community, the images are now available on the SSO website.

An officer at Surry Hills Police not connected with the investigation told SSO releasing identifying images rarely helped, often driving perpetrators into hiding.

Comments were made on SSO‘s online forums that same-sex couples invite reprisals by holding hands in public.

Other forum posters praised the couple for having the courage to step forward and put a public face to the ongoing violence issues in the area. There has also been the suggestion of organising a vigil.

I respect other people’s views, but we live in a diverse community, Gee responded.

In hindsight, unfortunately, we probably wouldn’t do it again. We were alone on the street so it’s not like we were walking past heaps of people.

The couple are still struggling to come to terms with their ordeal, including the need for constant medical treatments and check-ups.

We’re not doing too well at the moment, Gee said, but he was grateful that more in the community are now taking the issue of homophobic violence seriously.

Medically, I’ve got another operation this month, and an X-ray on my leg next Thursday. If the X-ray is bad I might need to get my leg operated on as well.

Gee and Brennen have also been offered counselling by ACON.

Have your say: How would you solve Oxford St’s violence issues? Tell us on our forum at www.ssonet.com.au.

Poll: Would you attend a vigil to show your support for Craig and Shane? Vote online at www.ssonet.com.au.