by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
A 22-year-old off-duty trainee police officer was seriously gay-bashed outside the gay bar Superstar Boudoir in Liverpool, England, on Oct. 25.
James Parkes was set upon by a gang of 20 youths and suffered multiple skull fractures and a broken cheek bone and eye socket. He was hospitalized in critical condition before being released Oct. 30 to recuperate at home.
Citing language used by the bashers, police have deemed the assault a homophobic hate crime.
Twelve of the alleged assailants, some of whom are as young as 13, have been arrested.
