A GAY couple were set upon by a woman and two other men at a Colchester pub.

Marcus Taylor told how he and partner Nate Harlan were drinking with friends in the garden of the Purple Dog on Saturday when the unprovoked attack from “disgusting humans” led to Marcus being clawed.

He had his shirt ripped off him and was pushed against a fence.

Nate also suffered a suspected fractured wrist.

The Braintree couple said police had only texted them two days later to confirm they were aware of the incident - despite them dialling 999 at the time and again when they spotted one of the alleged attackers later in hospital.

Project manager Marcus, 32, said: “We are not the type you would assume are gay - can you image if it was someone less able to defend themselves?

“We don’t want it to happen again, it shouldn’t be happening in this day and age.

“I am annoyed with the police. The police were called via 999 and said there was no one available,” he added.

The couple said a male in the beer garden began by calling them “poofs” but the abuse continued, with them called “queers” and “snowflakes” before he asked them directly about their sexuality.

A beer was also thrown over the couple.

Another male joined in before the woman who was with them became aggressive.

Marcus said: “They were going for about ten minutes when she spat, that’s when it got violent.

“She clawed at my neck and ripped my top off and snapped off my Rolex watch.

“One of the men then grabbed hold of me and pushed me against the fence.

“I fell down, he was laying into me which is where the bruises have come from.

“The other male was hitting my partner.”

Marcus said pub staff escorted the trio out and a PSCO arrived an hour later to take details before he and Nate, 28, left.

On Monday they went to Colchester’s Accident and Emergency department after fearing Nate’s wrist could be fractured. Meanwhile, Marcus had posted details on what happened on Facebook.

He said a hospital worker who had read the post realised they were the victims and discreetly told them the alleged female attacker had also arrived at A&E with injuries following what happened.

Marcus dialled 999 but police did not arrive until around three hours later when they had returned home.

He added: “On Monday we got a text to say it had been logged with a reference number and we haven’t heard anything other than that.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called with reports two people had been assaulted and subjected to homophobic abuse on Saturday at 8.40pm.

“Our nearest officer, a PCSO who was patrolling nearby, attended the scene shortly after the assault being reported.

“The suspects had left the scene. Further PCSOs were deployed to help with enquiries.

“We received a call at 5pm on Monday with reports one of the people involved had been seen at Colchester Hospital.

“We attended the hospital a short time later, but the suspect had left.”

Anyone with information can PC Darin Patrick on 101 quoting reference 42/98408/19.