‘Gay bashing’ suspected

Press, 12 July 1985, Page 3

‘Gay bashing’ suspected

NZPA staff correspondent London

A group of “gay bashers” mistook a New Zealand accountant, Michael Smith, for a homosexual and stabbed him to death, London police believe.

Mr Smith, aged 25, was killed as he walked across Clapham Common, in south London, early on Saturday morning. Detective Sergeant Graham Archer, of the Wandsworth police, said that the part of the common where Mr Smith was killed was frequented by homosexuals. “It would seem that this assault was supposed to be on a gay — but they picked the wrong person,” he said. Two men appeared in

court yesterday charged with Mr Smith’s murder. Terence Soodhoo, aged 18, a plasterer, and Stuart Fletcher, aged 17, an apprentice carpenter, were remanded in custody for a week.

Others are still being sought by the police. It was hoped at least one of them would be arrested “before too long,” Detective Sergeant Archer said. A third person arrested has, however, been released. Mr Smith had been in Britain about 18 months on a working holiday. Detective Sergeant Archer said he had no doubt there had been many attacks on homosexuals in the area, possibly by the same person or persons respons-

ible for Mr Smith’s death. However, for various reasons, none had been reported. “We want to clear up any other offences these lads have committed — and I am sure they have committed others — but it is impossible if people don’t come forward,” he said.

An application would be made to the Coroner’s Court for the release of Mr Smith’s body as soon as those charged had exercised their right to an independent post-mortem examination.

The body would be returned to New Zealand for burial. The company Mr Smith worked for had offered to meet the expense, Mr Archer said.