‘Gay Bashing’ Suspected (Press, 12 July 1985)

On 12 July 1985, it was reported that a New Zealand accountant named Michael Smith, aged 25, was fatally stabbed in Clapham Common, south London. Authorities believe that his murder was a case of mistaken identity perpetrated by individuals targeting gay men. The incident occurred early on a Saturday morning in an area known to be frequented by homosexuals. Detective Sergeant Graham Archer of the Wandsworth police indicated that the assailants likely intended to attack a gay man but mistakenly chose Mr Smith instead. Two suspects, Terence Soodhoo, an 18-year-old plasterer, and Stuart Fletcher, a 17-year-old apprentice carpenter, have been charged with Mr Smith’s murder and were remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings. Police are also pursuing additional individuals who may have been involved in the attack, with hopes of making further arrests soon. A third person who was arrested in connection with the case has since been released. Detective Sergeant Archer expressed concerns about a pattern of violence against homosexuals in the area, suggesting that there had been many unreported assaults potentially linked to the same group. He urged any victims of such crimes to come forward so that the police could fully investigate and address these offences. Following the legal procedures surrounding the suspects' rights to an independent post-mortem examination, an application will be made to the Coroner’s Court for Mr Smith’s body to be released. It is intended that his remains will be returned to New Zealand for burial, with his employer offering to cover the associated costs.

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