Birmingham gay couple save life of man who abused them

Aug 2 2010 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

The family have now moved out of the gutted house until repairs are completed.

“Hopefully, if the family move back we can all get along,’’ said James.

‘‘Maybe becoming friends is a bit too strong, but we could be proper neighbours.”

Koonar had pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment. He was given an 18-month supervision order and told to pay £300 in costs and compensation.

“It’s fantastic,” said charity boss Bryn, who is a Lib Dem councillor for Shirley West.

“We had put up with his verbal abuse for years – it affects you every day.”

Bryn and James made history when they became the first same sex couple to have a Civil Parnership at Birmingham Registry Office. They moved into Amberley Road, Shirley, in 2007 and say the homophobic attacks began after just six months.

In 2008 a court hearing saw Baljit Koonar forced to sign a Good Neighbour Agreement, but this did not stop the abuse.

In a victim statement at the latest hearing, the couple said they had considered moving home – but “did not want to give in to the bully”.

ben.goldby@sundaymercury.net