Latest news with #Scruff
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
Homophobia: Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Loading Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Last month, three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. Loading A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historical incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state MP for Richmond Gabrielle De Vietri said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. Loading 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Responding to The Age , Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement: 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer at 3pm. Loading Lasham says that as a 53-year-old bloke, he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'fag' tag to wear at the bar – but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he says. He's learnt that every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms. 'People walk out of this place tall. They don't walk out of this place small,' Arcuri said. 'It's a space that lets them be themselves, affirm who they are.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Collingwood Police Station on (03) 8413 1700, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: 1800 497 212.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
The Age
5 days ago
- The Age
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man Pleads Guilty to Food Contamination, After Nearly 380 People Allegedly Became Sick
A man accused of contaminating food at a Kansas City, Missouri restaurant has pleaded guilty to dozens of charges. The charges include 22 counts of criminal threat, criminal damage greater than $25,000, and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child/possession of child pornography. Jace Hanson, 22, was employed at Hereford House restaurant in Leawood for approximately one month in 2024. The affidavit states that he was then reported by someone to the FBI after allegedly posting videos online. Hanson was accused of spitting in food, caressing food with his feet and genitals, placing food down his pants numerous times, and urinating on food while working in the restaurant's to KCTV, more than 380 people called into the Leawood Police Department to report that they had become ill after eating at the restaurant. This ensued in at least 10 civil lawsuits that were filed by customers who allegedly became sick with gastrointestinal discomfort, some citing serious illnesses, after consuming food at the restaurant. Hanson initially claimed to investigators that the videos were intended for men he had connected with on social networking apps like Grindr, Sniffy's, SnapChat, and Scruff. The men then allegedly requested clips of him contaminating the food. RELATED: The former restaurant employee originally pleaded not guilty to all counts in September 2024, but recently switched gears, now admitting to over 20 instances of food contamination throughout the time he worked at the restaurant. After Hanson's guilty plea on July 3 of last week, the judge ordered a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed. The next court hearing date is set for Aug 26, 2025. The eatery has since closed its Leawood and Zona Rosa shopping center locations due to "financial strains" after the legal proceedings were revealed, NPR reports. The steakhouses' locations in the Shawnee and Independence areas of Kansas City have remained Pleads Guilty to Food Contamination, After Nearly 380 People Allegedly Became Sick first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 10, 2025
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Judge blasts dating app assaults on gay men as ‘horrific example of groupthink'
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT A judge has blasted the actions of three young men who used dating apps like Grindr to lure, violently assault and rob men in Melbourne parks as a horrific example of groupthink. Abdullah Bloch, Albin Idrizi and Madhi Nowruzi, all aged 20, pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. However, Judge Simon Moglia flatly dismissed the claim saying there was 'no reasonable basis' for them holding that view. 'I find that your offending can only be understood as a horrific example of groupthink and immature, misguided, mutual peer pressure aimed at attacking individual men in vulnerable circumstances in order to make 'easy money',' he said. In May, police said at least 35 arrests had been made around Melbourne for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. At a previous hearing, the court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole.
