Man subjected to homophobic abuse when he ordered kebab at Sheffield takeaway

Police have launched an investigation after a distraught customer claimed Sheffield takeaway staff hurled homophobic abuse at him when he ordered a kebab.

Ryan Cox, aged 23, had just left LGBT-friendly nightclub OMG on West Street when he popped into Adnan’s fried chicken shop on the same road.

He went into the takeaway with his friends at about 3am on Monday morning after leaving work and ordered a kebab and chips.

But when he told the staff part of his order was missing he claims he was subjected to a torrent of abuse.

Ryan, who had been working at gay-friendly bar OMG and was sober, told them he was not leaving until he had his food.

He said: “While they were preparing my food, I heard them slagging me off. They were saying I must have AIDS and more.

“I told them I was going to tell people what I heard, to what they said ‘good, we could do without you boys in here every night. What are you still doing here? Are you waiting to get raped?’.”

Adnan’s Fried Chicken Shop owner Mag Kon strongly denied any wrongdoing.

He said: “There is no abuse in the shop, we would never do that.

“I have been here for 15 years and swearing to our customers isn’t our job. We are trying to do our best and look after them.”

Ryan has reported the incident to South Yorkshire Police, who are investigating.

Despite the incident, Ryan, who moved to Sheffield a year ago with his partner, believes Sheffield is a welcoming place for gay people.

He said: “This is my first bad experience.”

Ryan added: “We can’t keep brushing it off, something must be done about it or the abuse won’t stop.

“It makes me so mad to think the abuse has been going for so long.

“I am absolutely disgusted.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed they were investigating the alleged abuse.

He said: “Police are investigating following reports of abusive comments made towards an individual inside Adnans Southern Fried Chicken takeaway in West Street.

“The incident is believed to have taken place at about 3am on Monday 29 February.

“It is alleged that a man inside the shop made homophobic comments towards a 23-year-old man who was also inside the shop.

“Officers are continuing to investigate this matter.”