Man strangled until unconscious in homophobic attack in London park

Police hunting six people after 'abhorrent' robbery

A man was strangled unconscious in a homophobic attack in Blackheath Common, southeast London (PA Archive/PA Images)

A man was strangled and punched repeatedly in the face in a homophobic attack in a southeast London park, police have said.

The 36-year-old was dragged along the floor after being choked unconscious by up to six attackers in Blackheath Common, Greenwich, on Sunday night.

He was left bloodied and bruised after they smashed his face into the pavement, before stealing his keys and driving off in his car.

“Throughout the attack the gang used homophobic words,” London's Metropolitan Police in a statement.

The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital. He has since been discharged “but is suffering from his injuries and is still in shock”, it added.

His mobile phone and wallet were inside his car, a white Peugeot 208 Access, and were also stolen.

Detective constable Adam Pearce said: “This was a completely unprovoked and targeted assault and we believe there may be further victims not yet in contact with polic​

“Both the attack and the homophobic motivation of this assault are abhorrent and I appeal to anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to come forward.”

Investigators believe five men and “possibly a woman” were involved the attack.

One of the men was described as white, with “a thin face, thin lips” and a London accent. He was wearing a grey hooded jumper