A Sydney man has been convicted for a homophobic attack that took place in Darlinghurst last November, an incident that had previously gone unreported in the media. The case has only now come to light after video footage was released, leading to the offender’s conviction and public apology.
Gay Hate Crime Conviction in Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ Hub
The attack occurred near Oxford Street, the heart of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community. Akok Aleu, a 23-year-old from Merrylands, was found guilty of common assault, stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear, and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
According to court documents, Aleu targeted a group of three men walking back from Universal nightclub, launching into a verbal and physical assault. Witnesses stated that the aggression was triggered after one of the men placed an arm affectionately around another.
“Are you gay? You are gay, aren’t you? You’re a fing fg,”** Aleu reportedly shouted before turning his attention to a third man in the group, a visitor from Melbourne.
“I’ll bash you. I hate you. I’ll happily bash you,” he threatened before following the victim down Palmer Street, raising his shoe in the air and continuing to make violent threats.
The victim, who has lived in Australia for 15 years, expressed his shock at the attack.
“I was so shocked that it was in Darlinghurst, in the gay centre of Australia,” he told 7NEWS. “I did not feel safe anymore. It was so sad. He can’t just find vulnerable people and say what he wants. It was unprovoked.”
Aleu allegedly drove past the trio twice after the initial confrontation, continuing to yell homophobic slurs.
Video Footage Leads to Conviction & Apology
The incident was filmed by one of the victims and later surfaced in the media, sparking public outrage. Speaking to 7NEWS, Aleu has since expressed regret for his actions, claiming that intoxication played a role in his behaviour.
“100 per cent, I regret it,” he admitted. “I obviously wasn’t going to [kill him]… It was just out of intoxication that made me verbally speak like that.”
Aleu also offered a public apology to the victim:
“I would definitely want to give an apology to the person that I was verbally swearing to, telling him that I was going to kill him. It wasn’t really meant from the heart.”
He further claimed that he had been provoked by a racial slur from one of the men, stating: “That’s when I actually got mad… But no doubt do I regret it? 100 per cent.”
Sentencing & Police Response
Aleu was sentenced to a 12-month community correction order, which includes treatment for anger management.
With the news breaking on the evening of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a NSW Police spokesperson addressed safety concerns:
“NSW Police will conduct a high-visibility and mobile police operation throughout Mardi Gras 2025 aimed at ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the community and targeting anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime.”
The NSW Police Engagement and Hate Crime Unit also confirmed that they closely monitor all hate crime-related incidents in NSW and assist investigators where necessary.
“Incidents of bias-related crimes—motivated by perceptions of sexuality or gender—are always treated seriously by the NSW Police Force.”
Authorities urged victims or witnesses of gay hate crimes to report incidents to police or LGBTIQ Liaison Officers to ensure proper investigation and justice.
This conviction has reignited conversations about safety in Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ spaces, particularly around Oxford Street, as the community continues to push for greater protection and awareness against homophobic violence.
