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Gay news: Merseyside police had appealed for witnesses to the 'homophobic hate crime' to come forward
James Parkes
No one to be charged over homophobic attack on James Parkes
None of the teenagers held in connection with the homophobic attack on trainee PC James Parkes last year will be charged, Merseyside police said today.
Parkes, then 22, was taken to hospital with serious head injuries, including multiple fractures to his skull, a fractured cheek bone and a fractured eye socket after being set upon by up to 20 teenagers as he and his friends left a gay bar in Stanley Street, Liverpool, on October 25.
Merseyside police described the attack as a "homophobic hate crime" and appealed widely for witnesses or those with any information to come forward.
However, although 15 youths were arrested during the inquiry the Crown Prosecution Service has now decided there is insufficient evidence to charge them, according to BBC News.
Two of the boys, aged 15 and 16, have had their bail cancelled and detectives are now reviewing evidence in the case, saying some of the other 13 suspects may be re-interviewed.
"The investigation into the assault is ongoing and all the evidence is being reviewed," said a police spokeswoman.
"As a result of this review, it might be necessary for the police to re-interview the same suspects or other people in connection with the incident.
"Further lines of inquiry will be sought and every effort is being made to bring those responsible for this attack to justice."
