Police urge caution on gay chat sites after assault


Police urge caution on gay chat sites after assault


police tapeNSW Police are again warning men who may use online gay chat sites or dating apps to be wary of who they meet and in what circumstances after a man was bashed and robbed by another man whom he had originally befriended online.

Police from Surry Hills Local Area Command said a 34-year-old man became the victim of an assault and robbery on Monday, September 16 after agreeing to meet with another man at a Surry Hills hotel on Oxford Street. 
The men had decided to go one of hotel’s rooms having never met previously.

Once inside, police allege that a third man entered the room through a balcony door and then assaulted the 34-year-old. 
The victim, from Wetherill Park, then ran from the room while his two assailants stole some of his property which was left behind.

Police and other emergency services soon attended the scene and the man was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he was treated for injuries, including a deep laceration to his scalp.

After a crime scene was established, police arrested a 29-year-old man at the hotel a short time later.

The man’s car as well as a number of items were seized before he was transported to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with aggravated robbery with wounding. 
Police are continuing their enquiries to locate the other alleged offender involved.

Surry Hills Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Craig Middleton, said people need to be vigilant when using social networking sites, particularly in light of other recent incidents.

In December last year, two men, aged 23 and 28, were arrested and charged over a vicious assault and robbery of a Surry Hills man who had earlier befriended one of the attackers via the Skout smartphone dating app.

“Anybody using these types of chat or meeting websites are to be extremely careful of criminals who prey on vulnerable victims,” Middleton said.

“In this case the victim suffered a laceration to his scalp and it could have been a lot worse. 
When meeting people who you have only spoken to on the phone or over the internet, it is very important to meet them at a public spot or to take a friend along with you.”

The 29-year-old man involved in the latest incident was refused bail and will reappear in Central Local Court on Thursday, November 7.

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7 responses to “Police urge caution on gay chat sites after assault
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  1. What about the weirdos that swamp these chat sites with endless torso pics,pics of landscapes and just some idiotic poses with really bad “Gone to God” body’s that should never be un-clothed.
    They seem to be partnered,the majority of them and even married and looking for NSA,it makes you sick that these characters are around and they think it’s normal to screw around,deseases and all…
    I strongly recommend that any single gay man looking for love sift through the Junk Male on these sites and bombard them with questions before meeting them,and for gods sake,meet them in a Public area and LET SOMEONE know your meeting a stranger…thanks

  2. Criminals who trawl these services exploit the fear of their victims being outed to their family or employer as gay, for example someone working in a religion based environment, making it difficult to prosecute for crimes of robbery and assault when the victim won’t testify.

    Never meet anyone without first calling them on a device that records evidence of the call, e.g. from your mobile, and/or by calling theirs. Voice chat companies such as this one may also be able to provide archival recording of the conversation that led up to the meeting, which can then be used to help track down offenders and adduced as evidence to prosecute them.

  3. Maybe if the police are concerned about gay bashings they should, IDK, stop bashing gays themselves first??