Woman shows jury photograph of gay rights tattoo on her buttock to prove she is not homophobic

A woman who showed a jury a picture of a rainbow–coloured tattoo on her buttock to prove she was not guilty of a homophobic attack will not face a retrial. Lauren Proverbs produced the photograph of the flowershaped tattoo, saying it was a symbol of her support for homosexual and lesbian causes. Miss Proverbs, 21, who was accused of hurling abuse at Gina Landon, said she got the tattoo in Spain in 2008 while in a lesbian relationship herself.

She admitted she threw a punch at Miss Landon, who was out with her female girlfriend, but said she was acting in self defence, fearing she was about to be beaten up during a row outside a takeaway in Borehamwood, Herts. At the end of the trial on Aug 4 at Luton Crown Court, the jury were unable to reach a verdict on a charge that Miss Proverbs, of Borehamwood, caused actual bodily harm. Alison Ginn, prosecuting, told Judge Stephen Farrell QC that, having consulted Miss Landon, there was not to be a retrial. The judge recorded a not guilty verdict.



During the trial, the jury heard that, in the early hours of Jan 8, Miss Proverbs and a friend were in a takeaway having spent the evening drinking in a bar. Also present were Miss Landon, her girlfriend and her girlfriend's sister. As they waited for their food, it was alleged that Miss Proverbs turned to the other group and demanded to know what they were saying about her and her friend. Miss Landon told the jury: "My response was, 'If you don't mind, I am talking to my girlfriend'." She went on: "She [Miss Proverbs] called me a ––––––– dyke and a ––––––– lesbian."

Miss Landon said Miss Proverbs also hurled abuse at her girlfriend, calling her "––––––– Polish" and saying she was going to "have her". Takeaway staff ushered both groups outside where the row continued. Miss Landon said Miss Proverbs punched her in the face, causing her to fall, bleeding from the mouth. "I was slightly delirious at the time but I remember her picking up her foot and stamping down really hard on my ribs," Miss Landon said. Miss Proverbs said it was Miss Landon who had been acting aggressively and she had only thrown a single punch, fearing for the safety of herself and her friend.