Three sentenced after attack during Pride weekend

"Everybody has the right to feel safe when out, whatever their age, race, gender, ethnicity or sexuality," says Det Con Bethany Reynolds

Three people have been given suspended prison sentences after three people were attacked at a Pride weekend last year.

CCTV captured Cai Dinardo, 22, Thomas Eve, 23, and Tyler McFarlane, 23, who are all from Peterborough, attacking two men and a woman after a night out in the city on 25 June 2023.

Det Con Bethany Reynolds said the assault was a "sustained violent attack", which had been "aggravated by hate".

All three were convicted of assault and ordered to complete 100 hours’ unpaid work at a hearing at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday.

The victims, all in their 20s, were walking past a takeaway in Long Causeway at about 03:00 BST when Dinardo and McFarlane, who were standing outside, shouted a homophobic slur and began following them.

A fight began and Dinardo and McFarlane started punching the victims.

A member of the public intervened to stop the attack and the victims walked away.

Dinardo and McFarlane followed and began the attack again further down the road, with Eve, who also kicked and punched the victims. The attack left two people with injuries requiring hospital treatment.

Dinardo, of Palmerston Road, Woodston, pleaded guilty to ABH and affray and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Eve, of New Lakeside, Hampton Vale, pleaded guilty to ABH and affray and was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years.

McFarlane, of Albert Crescent, Hampton Vale, pleaded guilty to ABH and affray and was sentenced to 14 months, suspended for two years.

Police said they had released a CCTV image of a fourth man they would like to speak to in connection with the attack.

Det Con Reynolds said: "I have no doubt in my mind the attack was aggravated by hate.

"Everybody has the right to feel safe when out, whatever their age, race, gender, ethnicity or sexuality."