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Five teenagers have now been arrested over a robbery and homophobic attack on a couple after they 'refused to kiss' while travelling on a bus, police said this evening.

Melania Geymonat, 28, from Uruguay, was with her American girlfriend Chris after an evening out in West Hampstead, London, when they were attacked at 2.30am on May 30.

Police say the couple were sat on the top deck when they were approached by a group of males who began to make lewd and homophobic comments to them.

The pair were punched several times and left covered in blood before the males ran off the bus. A phone and bag were also stolen during the assault.

Four males aged between 15-18 were arrested on Friday on suspicion of robbery and aggravated GBH. The fifth suspect was detained on Saturday morning.

"They have been taken to separate London police stations for questioning," a Met Police spokesman said.

(Image: Sam Webb)



Both women were taken to hospital suffering facial injuries. They have now been discharged.

Melania, who lives in Bishop's Stortford in Essex, said the pair decided to sit at the front on the top deck because they both enjoy the novelty of a double decker bus.

When a gang of young men behind them saw they were a couple, she claims they began to throw coins and started to demand they kiss while making crude sexual gestures.

She said: “They wanted us to kiss so they could watch us.

"I tried to defuse the situation as I’m not a confrontational person, telling them to please leave us alone as Chris wasn’t feeling well.”

The men allegedly began throwing things and the couple told them to stop.

“The next thing I remember was Chris in the middle of them and they were beating her,” added Melania, who moved to the UK in February and is on a year's sabbatical from her medical studies.

“I didn’t think about it and went in. I was pulling her back and trying to defend her so they started beating me up.

“I don’t even know if I was knocked unconscious.

(Image: Facebook)

“I felt blood, I was bleeding all over my clothes and all over the floor.

“We went downstairs and the police were there.”

Police tonight described the attack as "disgusting".

Detective Superintendent Andy Cox said: “This was a disgusting attack on two women who appear to have been picked out and targeted by a group of youths.

"The suspects have made a number of homophobic comments towards the couple before throwing coins at them. When the women tried to reason with the group, the attack escalated to an assault.



“CCTV footage from the attack is being reviewed by detectives. We continue to appeal for information from the public, particularly those who were present on the bus before or after the attack to come forward and tell police what they saw.



“A number of active enquires are in hand to trace other individuals suspected to have been involved in the incident. Lots of people will understandably be outraged by this attack. Our efforts to trace all the suspects involved and bring them in for questioning will be relentless.

“Attacks of this nature on London buses are rare. I would like to reassure those heading out over the weekend that extra uniformed and plain clothes Safer Transport officers will be out on patrol working to keep them safe and prevent crime.”

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn both condemned the attack.

Mrs May said: "This was a sickening attack and my thoughts are with the couple affected.

"Nobody should ever have to hide who they are or who they love and we must work together to eradicate unacceptable violence towards the LGBT community."

And Mr Corbyn said: "We must not, and will not, accept this homophobic and misogynist violence in our society.

"Solidarity to Melania and Chris, and to all in the LGBT+ community for everything they endure for simply being who they are."