A student from Blackpool suffered damage to his teeth and face in an assault which he claims was motivated by homophobia.

Lancashire police say they are currently investigating the incident although they cannot confirm if it was of homophobic intent.

Richard Scott Kennedy published a photo of himself on Facebook looking battered and bruised following an attack by several individuals which happened on Tuesday after leaving a nightclub in Preston.

He wrote:-

Here is my face after a homophobic attack, 4 of my teeth are gone, not fallen out but deep inside my gums and cheek, one is sitting under my cheek inside my gum on the right side bottom of my nose. My face is swollen and it was worse yesterday, both my knees are badly injured and I struggle to walk and my whole face is constantly throbbing and I’m now on 4 tablets a day for pain and infection and may require surgery to sort the damage. All of this and what was their motive? because of my f**king sexuality. something that doesn’t concern ANYONE else minus me and the person I fall for, either man or woman. A sex life is private and has nothing to do with no one, needless to say it’s absolutely disgraceful to violently attack someone because of who they are. My confidence has gone; I’m utterly embarrassed to be seen in public, the only reason I am putting this picture up is because I want you to see me as an example. An example why homophobia is wrong and it’s disgusting that it’s still around in 2014.

PinkNews has reached out to Richard for further details about the assault.

UPDATE:

On Thursday 12 March, Lancashire Constabulary announced that Mr Kennedy’s injuries had been self-inflicted as a result of a fall and that it was no longer treating the incident as an assault.

PinkNews acted in good faith in publishing details about Mr Kennedy’s claims and assisting Lancashire Constabulary with publicising the investigation.