Doncaster man subjected to homophobic abuse when he ordered kebab at a takeaway

Police have launched an investigation after a distraught customer claimed takeaway staff hurled homophobic abuse at him when he ordered a kebab.
Ryan Cox has made a complaint to policeRyan Cox has made a complaint to police
Ryan Cox has made a complaint to police

Ryan Cox, aged 23, who is originally from Doncaster, had just left LGBT-friendly nightclub OMG on West Street in Sheffield when he popped into Adnan’s fried chicken shop on the same road.

He went into the takeaway with his friends at about 3am on Monday morning after leaving work and ordered a kebab and chips.

Ryan CoxRyan Cox
Ryan Cox
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But when he told the staff part of his order was missing he claims he was subjected to a torrent of abuse.

Ryan, who had been working at gay-friendly bar OMG and was sober, told them he was not leaving until he had his food.

He said: “While they were preparing my food, I heard them slagging me off. They were saying I must have AIDS and more.

“I told them I was going to tell people what I heard, to what they said ‘good, we could do without you boys in here every night. What are you still doing here? Are you waiting to get raped?’.”

Ryan CoxRyan Cox
Ryan Cox
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adnan’s Fried Chicken Shop owner Mag Kon strongly denied any wrongdoing.

He said: “There is no abuse in the shop, we would never do that.

“I have been here for 15 years and swearing to our customers isn’t our job. We are trying to do our best and look after them.”

Ryan has reported the incident to South Yorkshire Police, who are investigating.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite the incident, Ryan, who moved to Sheffield a year ago with his partner, believes Sheffield is a welcoming place for gay people.

He said: “This is my first bad experience.”

Ryan added: “We can’t keep brushing it off, something must be done about it or the abuse won’t stop.

“It makes me so mad to think the abuse has been going for so long.

“I am absolutely disgusted.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed they were investigating the alleged abuse.