Two men have been jailed for life for the horrific killing of barman Jody Dobrowski on Clapham Common in south London in October 2005. It comes as a grim reminder to an increasingly confident gay community that the threat of homophobic violence remains one they cannot afford to ignore. Mr Dobrowski, 24, was killed on Clapham Common
The 24-year-old, originally from Gloucestershire, was targeted at the well-known gay "cruising" spot for no other reason than his sexuality. The attack was shocking in its violence, leaving Jody's body so badly battered he had to be identified by his fingerprints. Jody was brutally kicked, punched and stamped to death by Thomas Pickford and Scott Walker in October 2005. Walker and Pickford were returning to a nearby hostel for released offenders from a night of drinking in Lavender Hill and decided to cross the Common. Witnesses saw and heard the sustained assault on Jody. One witness tried to intervene but was warned off by Walker and Pickford,. He then called the police.Jody Dobrowski was taken to St George's Hospital where he was found to have severe lacerations, swelling and bruising to his face. He later died in hospital. Sentencing his killers, the Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker, said: "He suffered considerably before his death." Jody's killing was one of 1,306 homophobic crimes reported to police in London last year - and one of a string of attacks on Clapham Common.