Lesbian, 20, battered in street and left covered in blood by homophobic thugs

A LESBIAN was ambushed and battered to a pulp by two vile thugs in her FIFTH homophobic attack.

Bloodied Charlie Graham has relived her terrifying ordeal and revealed pictures of her horror injuries to show what she has to suffer for being gay.

5 Charlie Graham suffered cuts and bruises to her face in the unprovoked ambush Credit: Facebook/Charlie Graham

5 It's the fifth time she has been targeted because of her sexual orientation Credit: Facebook/Charlie Graham

5 Charlie was thrown to the ground from behind by two violent yobs Credit: Facebook/Charlie Graham

The innocent 20-year-old was minding her own business as she walked to meet a friend in Sunderland when she was punched in the head from behind and launched to the ground.

Detectives are investigating the hate crime and launched a probe for the sickos behind the unprovoked attack on Blackwood Road at 12.50am on Saturday morning.

She told the Daily Star: "It was very painful and I’m still in a lot of pain now having to take regular pain relief.

“It has knocked my confidence back. I don’t go anywhere by myself anymore. I only feel comfortable at my mum’s house.

“I have panic attacks and anxiety attacks just thinking about going home in case they find out where I live and decide to come through the door, or I get attacked in my own home.

“I have had people threatening to come through my door and smash the windows in.”

Charlie says it is the fifth time she has been targeted for being gay and is tragically resigned to the fact she will be attacked again.

I have panic attacks and anxiety attacks just thinking about going home in case they find out where I live Charlie Graham

She said: “I think you should be able to be proud of who you are.

“It makes me feel I have got to stay in the house and hide who I am and everything but in this day and age I shouldn’t have to do that. It should be accepted.

“I’ve tried not to let it beat me up and get on with my life, but I do worry if it happens again that it is worse than it was before.

“It happens everywhere. It’s my bad luck. I am not aggressive, or rowdy and I don’t pick fights. I have never opened my mouth to anybody.”

In a previous attack, Charlie had to get stitches after her eye was split open.

And another time she was left with a black eye when a mindless yob shouted “dyke” and then punched her as she walked with a girlfriend.

Reliving the latest savage assault, she said: "I got hit from behind by a fist to the back of my head, then I hit the ground, hurting my legs and face.

"I tried to get back up, but they pushed me back to the ground and the two guys ran off.

"I was left bleeding and scared."

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She added: "It's very important to me for my pictures to be shared, so people are aware there are people out there that will attack you for what ever reason they feel is necessary – whether that is your sexuality, colour of your skin, the way you walk or how you dress."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “We can confirm we are investigating a report of an assault on Blackwood Road in the Town End Farm area of Sunderland at about 00.50am on Saturday morning.

“It was reported that a 20-year-old woman was walking home when she was subjected to homophobic abuse and assaulted by two males."

5 She shared images of her injuries online Credit: Facebook/Charlie Graham