Ref. 18770-05BEING openly gay nearly cost Robert Tate his life.

The 38-year-old was the victim of a vicious homophobic attack in the town centre two years ago.

Three thugs pushed him to the ground, and kicked him in the head.

Robert, from Penhill, feared for his life as a year before the attack he suffered from a cranial problem, which left him in a coma.

He said: "I trusted the police fully, but a lot of people don't want to be identified. People hide their sexuality.

"If people come forward it means the police will put more resources into tackling the problem.

"If the crimes remain unreported, the stats stay low."

Police treated Robert's attack as a hate crime, but his assailants have never been caught.