Hate crime attack in McDonald's caused trauma, says Drag Race star

The Vivienne won the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019

Drag Race UK star The Vivienne has said a homophobic assault while he waited for food in a McDonald's has caused him "stress, anguish and ongoing trauma".

Last month, magistrates ruled the one-punch attack by Alan Whitfield, 51, on James Lee Williams, 31, who performs as the drag queen, was a hate crime.

Mr Williams was targeted at the Edge Lane outlet in Liverpool in June.

The court heard he was subjected to a "barrage of abuse" before being struck in the face with a "heavy blow".

Mr Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and came third in last year's Dancing On Ice, was bruised and hurt for a week but "luckily" was a six foot ex-rugby player who could take a punch, Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Williams said: "As a proud gay man, I have never hidden who I am or edited myself.

"It shames me to say at the age of 31, I am now a lot more conscious that I could be attacked at any moment simply for living my life.

"This has caused me stress, anguish and ongoing trauma."

'Oompa Loompa'

Mr Williams said when he came into contact with strangers he now thought, "I hope this person loves gay people", which he said was a "a crazy question to ask in 2023".

Whitfield, who pleaded guilty to assault by beating, claimed the attack was not prompted by his victim's sexuality but because of a comment Mr Williams made about his skin.

He said he was unaware Mr Williams was wearing make-up or carrying a woman's handbag at the time of the incident at 12:15 BST.

Whitfield said his attention was drawn to him because of his dyed green hair and that he asked: "What have you come as, an Oompa Loompa?"

The court heard he went on to say: "Look at the state of you. You look a show. Who are you trying to impress?"

When Mr Williams responded "look at your face", Whitfield told him he had skin cancer and became "enraged" when Mr Williams replied, "Made up for you".

Richard Derby, defending, said the assault was a "spur of the moment thing" which his client accepted he should not have done.

He said: "It was an incident out of anger. He has expressed remorse."

Whitfield, of Tom Mann Close, Everton, said he had been fighting cancer for 15 years and still required surgery on his face.

A pre-sentence report assessed Whitfield, who has previous convictions for harassment, affray and drug possession, as a "low risk" of reoffending.

District Judge Paul Healey told Whitfield the offence was a "serious matter" because of where and when it took place, the presence of others - including children - in an enclosed area and that it was motivated by hostility based on the sexuality of his victim.

Sentencing was adjourned until Friday to assess Whitfield's suitability for a curfew order but Judge Healey stressed that all sentencing options, including immediate custody, remained open.

The court heard that Whitfield, who cares for his mother, was not eligible to perform unpaid work due to his health.