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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Homophobic attack on trainee Pc | Homophobic attack on trainee Pc |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A trainee police officer is critically ill in hospital with multiple head injuries after a homophobic attack in Liverpool city centre. | A trainee police officer is critically ill in hospital with multiple head injuries after a homophobic attack in Liverpool city centre. |
| James Parkes, 22, a trainee with Merseyside Police, was out with friends when he was attacked leaving a gay bar on Stanley Street on Sunday night. | James Parkes, 22, a trainee with Merseyside Police, was out with friends when he was attacked leaving a gay bar on Stanley Street on Sunday night. |
| Four boys from the Kirkdale area, one aged 17, two aged 15 and one 14, have been arrested on suspicion of assault. | Four boys from the Kirkdale area, one aged 17, two aged 15 and one 14, have been arrested on suspicion of assault. |
| About 13 youths are believed to have been involved. | About 13 youths are believed to have been involved. |
| Mr Parkes was leaving Superstar Boudoir, one the city's well-known gay bars, when he was attacked. | Mr Parkes was leaving Superstar Boudoir, one the city's well-known gay bars, when he was attacked. |
| Multiple fractures | Multiple fractures |
| His condition was described as "very critical" after he suffered multiple fractures to his skull, a fractured cheekbone and a fractured eye socket. | |
| A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "The officer who is openly gay was with his partner, another man and woman when the incident took place. | A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "The officer who is openly gay was with his partner, another man and woman when the incident took place. |
| "From the language used by the offenders towards the officer we perceive it was a homophobic attack." | "From the language used by the offenders towards the officer we perceive it was a homophobic attack." |
| One of Mr Parkes' companions was punched in the face. | One of Mr Parkes' companions was punched in the face. |
| Mr Parkes began his initial 31 weeks training in May and is due to pass out in early 2010. | Mr Parkes began his initial 31 weeks training in May and is due to pass out in early 2010. |