Sydney couple sentenced for ‘cowardly’ homophobic attack

by CHLOE SARGEANT

This story originally appeared on Stargazer.

A young Sydney couple have been found guilty of a homophobic attack and have now been given probation.

Borna Kazerani was attacked by Cortez Solomon and Paris Te Atahu Makene Stone as he walked through a car park with a friend after visiting Parklea Markets.

This story involves homophobic abuse, which may be upsetting to some readers. For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For nationwide LGBTQI peer support, call QLife on 1800 184 527 or internet chat.

Kazerani, a gay man, filmmaker and court interpreter, moved to Australia after fleeing Iran. Leaving a country where homosexuality is punishable by death, he thought he was coming to a safe place for gay people – but since the attack, his sense of security has been shattered.

He told ABC that as a gay man who wears makeup, he was convinced he was an “easy target” for the attackers:

“I wear eye makeup, so I was probably an easy target for these people.”

Angry homophobic attack after accidentally crossing the road in front of a car

Kazerani crossed a street in the parking lot before the couple quickly overtook her in his black SUV.

According to court documents, Solomon gave Kazerani the middle finger as he passed him. When Kazerani dismissed the gesture, Solomon stopped the car and began the confrontation, amid protests from his girlfriend Stone.

Kazerani apologized for crossing the street in front of them, saying he didn’t know it was a one-way street. Solomon replied, “So what, you wanker?”

Solomon then began pushing and hitting him, and also hurled a series of homophobic insults at him, including “homo” and “faggot.”

In the furious attack, Kazerani was punched, kicked, shoved and his attacker even kicked him in the testicles. He tried to fight back and push Solomon away while his friend tried to take photos of Solomon and his car.

According to court documents, Stone then exited her SUV and attempted to separate the men by pulling Kazerani’s hair. When he tried to push Stone away, Solomon began hitting him again.

The couple then returned to their car, but gave Kazerani one last kick in the ribs.

Kazerani told the Star Observer that while he was calling police, the couple drove back and tried to launch the attack again.

“The man and woman both got out of the car and started attacking me again. The woman grabbed me by the hair from behind and pulled me back while the man started hitting me.”

“While this was happening, I was on the phone to 000, screaming and shouting that I was on the phone with the police. When they heard that I was talking to the police, they ran back to their car and drove away.”

The attack left him with severe bruising around his eyes and nose, dizziness and a swollen jaw.

The police did not come to help Kazerani

Kazerani and his friend called the emergency number 000, but the police never came.

He says the reason was simply that the local police did not have enough personnel at the time of the attack, so Kazerani drove himself to the Castle Hill police station.

“That was the biggest problem because I contacted the police and they said they were understaffed,” he told ABC.

Solomon was arrested by police two weeks later and claimed that Kazerani had instigated the attack and that he was merely protecting his girlfriend Stone.

Solomon and Stone were later charged with assault and both pleaded guilty.

Apology for Kazerani, but denial of homophobia

Cortez Solomon was sentenced to 18 months’ probation in November and Paris Te Atahu Makene Stone received a 15-month suspended sentence earlier this week.

After the verdict, Stone apologized to Mr Kazerani outside the courtroom for the attack but denied being homophobic.

“I’m very open about all these things,” she said.

Varinder Pawar, Stone’s legal representative, told the court that Stone was undergoing treatment for postnatal depression.

But Blacktown Local Court Judge Brian van Zuylen described Stone’s involvement in the attack as “quite cowardly” and said postnatal depression was no excuse.

“I’m not sure pulling out his hair is the right way to end (the fight),” the judge said.

Pawar said his client was “extremely sorry.”

“Something like this will never happen again and she apologizes to the victim involved,” he said.

Kazerani satisfied with punishments for homophobic attack

Kazerani attended the verdict on Thursday and said he did not believe Stone’s claim that the attack had nothing to do with homophobia.

However, he told ABC that he was satisfied with the punishment of his attackers.

“It shows that everyone, especially members of the LGBTQ community, can get justice if they stand up for their rights,” he said.