Father’s grief after ‘devastating’ homophobic attack leaves son in hospital
The father of a man hospitalized after a homophobic attack has described the “absolutely devastating” effect it has had on his son and his family.
Morgan Fevre, 22, needed surgery after Manchester’s attack in the early hours of April 10 left him with bleeding brains, as well as three knocked out teeth and multiple broken nose bones, on the cheekbone and orbit.
Her parents, Paul and Dawn Fevre, rushed from their home town of Retford in Nottinghamshire to be by her side at Salford Royal.
Mr Fevre, 53, told the PA news agency: ‘When we saw Morgan lying there it was absolutely heartbreaking – tubes everywhere, wires everywhere.
“And then when Morgan saw us, he started crying.
“The first thing he did was say, ‘I obviously did something wrong to make this happen’, instantly blaming himself and apologizing that we had to drive to Manchester and things. like that.
“And that’s probably what hurts the most, in all honesty, that the first thing that crossed his mind was that he deserved these kinds of injuries.”
Morgan had spent a night out with friends in Manchester city center on the evening of April 9, his partner Elliot returning home early.
He has no memory of the attack, according to his father, but remembers receiving homophobic abuse and negative comments about his sequin jacket before it happened.
Mr Fevre said: “Morgan has made fun of his sexuality for a long time and sadly like many do, just classify it as the norm and just turn the other cheek.
“It was never physical – it was always words, comments, insults, etc.”
He said the attack left his son with severe emotional damage which means he cannot be left alone.
He is unable to return to work because, as a worker with adults with special needs, he sometimes faces attacks and does not feel safe.
Mr Fevre said the attack was particularly difficult because his son had moved to Manchester because he felt it was a place where his sexuality would not be an issue.
He said: “Morgan would go to town on his own and make new friends while he was gone, he’s that kind of guy.
“But now I went to see him yesterday and he just said, ‘I don’t think I could ever go out again’.”
He said Morgan’s sexuality was never an issue in his family and he was always loved and accepted by his parents and siblings.
He added: “For this to happen, it was absolutely devastating to his entire family. It really is. Because it’s Morgan.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: “Officers were called to report an assault on Charlotte Street in Manchester city center at around 1.35am on April 10, 2022.
“The male victim is believed to have been punched by another man and required hospitalization with facial and head injuries. He is now out of hospital.
“The incident is being treated as an aggravated homophobic assault and is being investigated by GMP’s Manchester City CID.
“Anyone with information should call the police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident 247 of 10/4/2022.”
Mr. Fevre has set up a fundraiser to raise money for his son’s dental care and living expenses while he is unable to work, accessible at www.gofundme.com/f/9xg6h- Please-help-my-son