Homophobic abuser jailed

Aaron Rhoods from Guildford was jailed for five years at Lewes Crown Court on 11 August for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Rhoods was one of a group of several men who engaged in homophobic abuse towards a man in Kings Road, Brighton, in 2018. In the intervening three years there have been a number of court hearings.

The group cornered and assaulted their 32 year old victim by hitting him over the head with a bottle and causing him to lose consciousness.

Police say Rhoods and an accomplice, 22-year-old Celso Dias from Wandsworth, were detained an hour later after being found trying car door handles in John Street – the location of Brighton Police Station.

He was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge in addition to his custodial sentence.