TWO people were in custody last night after a man was stabbed in what police believe was a homophobic attack.

The 26-year-old suffered a single stab wound to his stomach after a scuffle in Summertown on Wednesday night.

Yesterday he was in a stable condition in Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital as police appealed for witnesses.

The victim was walking with his partner in Banbury Road, at the junction with Portland Road, at about 10.45pm on Wednesday, when he went to the aid of a man lying down in a front garden.

But the man leapt up and hurled homophobic abuse at him, before the pair had a brief struggle. His attacker ran away along Portland Street and then returned shortly afterwards with a woman. The victim was then stabbed.

A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and a 19-year-old woman held on suspicion of assisting an offender were being interviewed by detectives yesterday.

Det Ch Insp Colin Paine, of Oxford Priority Crime, said: “I believe that this is an isolated incident, and I would like to reassure the gay community that we are taking the comments made and this matter very seriously.

“Any form of hate crime will not be tolerated in Oxford.

“We have committed a team of detectives to investigate this matter and will work relentlessly until whoever has done this is brought to justice.”

Joshua Hall, of the Oxford Homophobic Awareness Liaison Team (Halt) said: “This was a very extreme case but also very rare. Homophobia is usually verbal.”

He added: “Reports of homophobia are relatively low, but that could either mean it isn’t happening or people are not reporting it.

“I believe certainly a lot of people don’t come forward.

“We will be liaising with those involved in this sad case.”

There were 33 homophobic incidents in Oxfordshire between April 1 and December 31 last year, according to Thames Valley Police figures.

In the same period in 2008 there were 39, with 59 in 2007.

Halt believes the figure could be 80 per cent higher, because many incidents go unreported.

Anyone with information should call 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Halt’s website is at oxhalt.co.uk