Police are appealing for information after a homophobic related incident in Oxford where a man was assaulted.

The incident happed at 10.35pm on Wednesday outside the Castle Tavern in Paradise Street.

The 22-year-old victim was standing outside the front of the pub having a cigarette with friends when they heard two men shouting as they walked down the road towards Castle Street.

The men did not pay any attention to the men until they reached the opposite side of the road to the pub, where they began shouting homophobic abuse at the group.

A verbal altercation then followed and the two men crossed the road and assaulted the 22-year-old man, pushing him to the floor and punching him in the face. The two then ran away from the scene, down Old Greyfriars Street and out of sight.

The man who carried out the assault is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, aged in his mid twenties, with light brown short cropped hair and muscular build. He was wearing a dark grey T-shirt with a Union flag on the front across the chest.

The other man was also white with a pasty complexion, aged in his early twenties, 5ft 11in tall, with mousey blond cropped hair. He was wearing a dirty cream-coloured, baggy jacket and was carrying a white carrier bag.

PC Sarah Piddington said: “I would urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and speak with us as soon as possible.

“Perhaps you saw these men before the incident and know where they came from? Or saw where they went after they ran off?

“This was a completely unprovoked attack and we want to bring these people into custody as soon as possible. This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Piddington via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.