A 39-year-old man from Wales, Kaspian Oaken, was severely beaten in what he believes may have been a homophobic attack while wearing a rainbow Apple Watch strap.
The incident occurred on February 1 around 6 pm as Kaspian was walking along Court Road in Barry, listening to music, when an unidentified man in a grey hooded tracksuit approached him.
Without warning, the stranger began punching Kaspian repeatedly in the face, leaving him with significant injuries, including a brain bleed, skull fractures, and a severely bruised face.
“It was very, very terrifying. There was that adrenaline burst, and at the time, you don’t realize quite what has happened,” Kaspian said.
Despite the brutal attack, Kaspian managed to stand up and continue walking, but his legs soon buckled, and he collapsed. Covered in blood, he phoned emergency services and was later taken to A&E, where doctors confirmed the extent of his injuries.
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Kaspian said, “My right eye is very, very damaged… My face is double its usual size, and if the injuries were worse, it could’ve been life-threatening.”
Though he’s not completely sure, Kaspian suspects that the rainbow strap, symbolizing LGBTQ+ Pride, may have been the reason for the assault.
The strap is designed by Apple to represent inclusivity and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Kaspian reflected on the mental toll of the attack, explaining that the scars are not only physical but psychological, and he now flinches whenever he sees someone in a grey tracksuit.
Police are investigating the incident, with a suspect described as a 6-foot-1 white male wearing a grey tracksuit. Authorities are treating the assault as a serious matter, especially as Kaspian questions the safety of others if such an attack goes unpunished.
