Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Assault charge laid in alleged homophobic beating of Nanaimo student

A 19-year-old man has been charged with assault in an alleged off-campus attack on a Nanaimo university student. Kristen Robinson reports – May 29, 2022

WARNING: Some readers may find the details and images in this post disturbing. Discretion is advised.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with assault in an alleged off-campus attack on a Nanaimo university student.

Story continues below advertisement

Spencer Frey, who used to attend Vancouver Island University, was at a party on Nanaimo’s Old Slope Place on March 27 when the incident happened.

He said someone began hurling homophobic slurs at him within minutes of arriving.

He said he responded to the man then walked away, but things escalated before he could even leave the house.

“Then a short boy taps on my shoulder and then I blacked out,” he said.

Story continues below advertisement

Frey said he was punched in the head and thrown on the ground, where others joined in on the beating, before people were able to break the altercation up.

The attack left him with significant bruising on his face.

Spencer Frey shows off the bruising and damage to his eye. Submitted

A 19-year-old later turned himself in to police. Court records now indicate Ryan John Seaman has been charged with assault in the case.

Story continues below advertisement

Nanaimo RCMP investigated the attack as a possible hate crime, and Frey believes he was attacked for being gay.

“It’s like completely unacceptable and it’s horrible that gay people have to be aware of this at parties just when they’re just trying to have fun just like everybody else,” he said.

Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article