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The victim was subjected to homophobic and transphobic language before being hit earlier this summer, police said.

Officers have since released a CCTV image of the man they wish to identify in connection with the crime, which took place at Turtle Bay in Cheltenham Road, Montpelier on 29 July at about 15:30pm local time.

He is described as being white, in his late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build with medium-length brown hair which was shaved on the side and longer on the top.

Police also said he was wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt at the time.

“A vicious and unprovoked assault”

“This was a vicious and unprovoked assault which, due to the language used by the offender, is being treated as a hate crime,” investigating officer PC Matthew Lawson said.

“This is a worrying incident and we’re ensuring the victim gets any support he may need.

“We want to speak to anyone who recognises the man in the image, or who may have witnessed or even filmed the incident taking place.”

Anyone who has information on the incident is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223182231.

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