Teenager in Christchurch Gay Bashing Case Seeks Reduced Sentence

A gay man, Kelly Hopkins, was violently attacked by a group of teenagers in a Christchurch park after being lured through a dating app in April 2023. He had expected to meet another man but instead was ambushed, suffering severe injuries, including being struck with a rock. Disturbingly, the assault was filmed, and when the most culpable assailant sought a lesser sentence, Hopkins expressed feeling insulted by their actions. The incident highlights the dangers associated with online dating and the violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

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