A gay couple have been left traumatised after they were the victims of a horrific homophobic attack at their local shops.

Jamie Edwards, 33, and Damian Hampton, 26, walked to their local One Stop in Sholing, Southampton, on Wednesday afternoon as they do most days. But things took a nasty turn for the couple when they caught the attention of three teenagers wearing hoodies and balaclavas.

As they walked away the yobs followed, yelling homophobic insults – before punching them from behind.

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Mr Edwards says he and his partner were forced to the ground and "booted in the face" by the young strangers.

"It happened so fast, within seconds they had caught up and punched Damian in the face," he told the Daily Echo.

"They ripped my clothes and wouldn't stop kicking us while we were on the ground.

"We had never even seen or spoke to them before, it was a totally unprovoked and unexpected attack."

The men were left with bruises on their arms, legs and ribs as well as cuts and grazes on their hands, but Mr Edwards says the brutal attack hurt him more emotionally than physically.

Mr Edwards added: "It's more of a pride thing, I had to watch my boyfriend being booted on the floor and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it."

He's been forced to take time off from his job as a painter and decorator while he recovers. He and Mr Hampton say they'll never "walk to that shop again" out of fear they'll be targeted again.

Hampshire Police have confirmed the incident is being treated as a hate crime.

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On Saturday Mr Edwards posted a Facebook update saying officers have viewed the CCTV footage of the attack and told him the perpetrators are "very well known to them".

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the reference number 44190436605.

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