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Friday, 3rd September 2010

Goth's ears ripped off by thugs - Have YOUR say on this story

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Published Date: 02 November 2007
A GOTH dressed as a vampire who had been raising cash for charity over goth weekend has been assaulted by a mob of up to seven men on the West Cliff.
Stuart Dearing (33) from Leeds had been to the Monster Lab at Whitby's Resolution Hotel and had been made up to look like Nosferatu, a vampire immortalised in a 1920s film.

The event was being held to raise cash for a memorial bench and plaque in memory of goth, Sophie Lancaster (20) from Lancashire who died after being attacked by a gang of yobs in August in Bacup. Her boyfriend Robert Maltby (21) suffered serious injuries.

Stuart had been walking along John Street at 7.45pm on Saturday and was returning to his guest house in Normanby Terrace before heading up to the Pavilion.

Earlier in the day, wearing his prosthetic make-up, Stuart had been collecting money for a charity for deaf and blind people.

He said he stepped to the side of the men, who were in their early twenties, to pass them, but the gang started swearing at him.

They ripped the bald cap and prosthetic false ears he was wearing which had been glued onto his head, tore them into pieces, stamped on them, pushed him about and swore at him.

"It was like a pack of wolves," said Stuart. "It's just senseless. They were laughing their heads off. It did hurt a little bit but its more my pride that was hurt."

Stuart, who has been coming to Whitby Gothic Weekend for 10 years, reported the incident to police the next day but was shocked at their response.

"There was no CCTV and no witnesses. The police said they can't do anything.

"I've never experienced anything like this but it's not going to ruin it for me."

Promoter of Whitby Goth Weekend Sam Hoyle said he was shocked and saddened at the mindless attack.

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"It's such a shame there's a small minded attitude still.

"I think it's a one-off."

Sgt Steve Pearse of Whitby Police said: "It is disappointing as a police officer and also as a local resident that, what would appear to be local people, have reacted to a visitor in this way. We will treat the incident with all the seriousness it deserves and I would ask anybody who can shed any light on this matter to contact (0845) 6060247."


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  • Last Updated: 02 November 2007 1:14 PM
  • Source: Whitby Gazette Friday
  • Location: Whitby
 
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castle crusader.,

scarborough 03/11/2007 11:24:39
Congratulations to all have posted on this article, as you seem to have said everything I would have said all I can do is wish you all well and thank all the Goths for bringing a new dimension into a dull world always remember it would be a sad world if we were all the same.
12

The Ed,

Whitby Gazette 03/11/2007 15:27:07
I appreciate the sentiments of whoever reported Mr Denove's comments unsuitable, but it is important on a site like this everyone is allowed to have their say and that we are not seen to censor comments just because they are critical of us. Thanks for your support Faithass and I'm sorry you feel so upset by the story Mr Denove. I don't believe the story was misleading or sensationalist and the majority of comments on here back that up, and there are many comments on the offical WGW site expressing similarly strong views about the attack.
13

Mr Denove,

04/11/2007 10:52:31
To the Ed, my apologies. I am saddened that we are having to discuss the fact that people are being attacked for the way we are dressed, which sadly echoes recent events elsewhere which we all know about and are shocked by. I apologise for the tone of my previous post but I am still of the opinion there are those trying to make gain from these stories which are highlighting a serious issue of violence against goths. I do not want to detract from this issue that seems to have happened escalated this weekend and with a larger police presence.
14

arniebaby,

Doha 06/11/2007 06:25:07
I am gratified by everyone's sympathy with Stuart, I am also happy that so many whitby sidents like having the Gths around, most of therm are nice people and collect money for charity as well as enjoying themselves. I am not a Goth and do not want to be, but I am stuart's Dad. Whilst I live three thousand miles from Whitby I do visit the UK. If the perpetrators of this assault are named in court or elsewhere, they would be well advised to depart from Whitby on my next UK leave!!! The only way for these scum bags to be caught is that some Whitby folk MUST shop them, these cretins always brag to their mates about what they have done and someone who does not approve will eventually hear about who did it. Go get 'em Whitby.
15

Faithais,

07/11/2007 17:53:46
Any time, Ed. Whitby means the world to us and your support is humbling and encouraging. ... TO STUART's dad: ket us know if you need a hand looking for them when you come to the UK. :) Mr. Deneve, seriously, I don't see what there is to gain from reporting this...a beating?
16

X-Bumble,

Whity 09/11/2007 13:27:02
As a goth who lives in Whitby with my family, I can only state my utter contempt for these individuals. We moved here from London in 2002 due to the increasing wave of extreme violence sweeping the city. I was at the horror lab with Stuart as were many goths. There was a collection for Sophie. Myself and many other goths are making the trip to Sophie's funeral on Monday to say goodbye to a young lady brutally beaten until she died by a gang of teenage animals. This is raw for goths and we are all hurting - then we have to see the moronic behaviour from these yobs on Stuart. As someone who has a 7 year old son who classes himself as a goth, I am not going to let the violence and hate I have seen in other cities violate this town. Whityb is a haven on so many levels and all towns people need to take responsiblity for this town and their children. Similarly the police here MUST do their job in protecting innocent people rather than becomeing a beaurocratic tool for Scarborough Borough Council. Telling a victim of an assault that they can do nothing is not acceptable.
17

Darron Hughes,

Australia 16/03/2008 11:50:48
Mate,

If you're the same SD I knew growing up, good to hear you're doing something for charity. Sorry to hear of the dick heads that are standing in your way. Darron.
18

Andi.,

Whitby 12/03/2009 11:41:06
I am absolutely incredulous that Whitby Police would have said there was nothing they could do because there were no witnesses and no CCTV. Is this the only time the police in Whitby will do their job - if the investigating work is already done for them??? Although it's consistent with my own experience, for a crime which could easily have been murder, there should be the most extensive investigation with every avenue of evidence investigated. Have the police's treatment of this case been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission? They certainly should have been or should be.
19

Crowkid,

Trowbridge 11/08/2009 15:44:21
This is absolutely barbaric, why do they have to beat up someone who choose to dress individually? He was a very harmless and nice sounding guy as I can understand how he felt after the attack. I would feel the same way too and make sure the police do take action. There may not be much CCTV cameras around but the police should at least question the subjects and put them on house arrest.
If there's one thing these idiots can't do is ignore those who dare to be different.
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