Four teenagers to face trial over alleged homophobic attack on night bus
28 November 2019, 05:08
Four teenagers will go on trial on Thursday over accusations they targeted two women in a suspected homophobic attack on a night bus.
Melania Geymonat, 28, and her girlfriend Chris were allegedly targeted on the top of a double-decker London night bus after refusing to kiss.
Four boys, two aged 17, one aged 16 and another aged 15, were charged with an aggravated hate crime under the Public Order Act in July.
The group allegedly began harassing the two women as they were travelling from West Hampstead to Camden Town in the early hours of May 30.
The boys - who cannot be named for legal reasons - are accused of approaching the couple, sitting behind them and asking lewd questions before throwing coins at them and demanding they kissed.
Both women were taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries after the incident.
As well as the Public Order offence, the 15 and 16-year-olds face an additional charge of handling stolen goods.
The 16-year-old was also charged with theft from another, and one 17-year-old denied possession of cannabis.
The four teenagers are expected to appear at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Thursday, the first day of a two-day trial.
Both of the women and the bus driver are expected to give evidence.
