Man in critical condition after suspected homophobic attack in Bristol

A man is in a critical condition after a suspected homophobic attack in Bristol city centre.

Emergency services were called to St Nicholas Street in the early hours of 24 April, after a man in his 30s was found lying unconscious with serious facial injuries.

Police were then called by the ambulance service at around 3.15am and are now searching for a group of three or four men over with the assault.

The group fled the scene on foot before getting into a car and driving away, according to Avon and Somerset Police.

The victim was taken to the hospital, but his health deteriorated, and he is now in a critical but stable condition, police said.

Another man suffered minor injuries in the attack, which police are treating as a hate crime, but he didn't need hospital treatment.

Keith Smith, neighbourhood chief inspector, said Avon and Somerset Police are "treating this incident seriously" and that they have spoken to LGBT+ and equality groups.

"We believe the assaults were carried out by a group of three or four men and they are thought to have made off on foot initially and then driven away in a car," he added.

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Officers said they are investigating possible CCTV footage and that one man was believed to have been wearing a blue jacket, with two others dressed predominantly in black or grey.

An initial account of the attack was given by the second victim, who sustained minor injuries, and has since provided more information, which led to police investigating a possible homophobic motivation.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man in critical condition after suspected homophobic attack in Bristol