The Vivienne: Man sentenced for homophobic attack on Drag Race star
The Vivienne was subjected to a "barrage of abuse" by Alan Whitfield, who then punched him in the face. "This has caused me stress, anguish and ongoing trauma," the performer said of the incident.
Friday 5 January 2024 15:17, UK
A stranger who attacked RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race star The Vivienne in a McDonald鈥檚 has been given a suspended sentence and a two-year restraining order.
Alan Whitfield, 51, punched and verbally abused the performer, real name James Lee Williams, on 16 June 2023, in an attack that magistrates ruled was homophobic.
Mr Williams, 31, was waiting for food in the chain's Edge Lane branch, Liverpool, when Whitfield subjected him to a "barrage of abuse" about his appearance and hit him on the jaw with a "heavy blow".
Sentencing Whitfield on Friday, district judge Paul Healey told him: "Your behaviour was really appalling.
"The most serious aggravating feature of the offence is the fact that it was motivated by hostility to the victim because of their sexual orientation."
The judge also noted that the incident took place in an enclosed public area at around midday, in front of children who had to be moved out of harm's way.
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Whitfield was spared immediate custody because of a lack of recent and relevant convictions, and the impact his imprisonment would have on his mother, who suffers severe health difficulties and relies on him as her primary carer.
Whitfield, of Tom Mann Close, Everton, received a 12-week jail term suspended for 18 months.
He must abide by a two-year restraining order banning any contact with Mr Williams, complete 12 sessions of mental health treatment and attend 10 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.
The defendant, who pleaded guilty to assault by beating at an earlier hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, must also pay £300 compensation to Mr Williams and £454 in court costs.
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In a victim personal statement read to the court on Wednesday, 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 for the first time in my life a lot more conscious that I could be attacked at any moment simply for living my authentic life.
"This has caused me stress, anguish and ongoing trauma."
Whitfield had disputed that the assault was homophobic and claimed he reacted in anger to a comment made about his skin.