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Former Wales and Lions captain Gareth Thomas reveals he was attacked in Cardiff for being gay

November 19, 2018

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas has revealed he was the victim of hate crime in Cardiff on Saturday night (local time).

Thomas, who came out publicly as homosexual in 2009 while still playing, posted a video to his social media accounts, saying he was doing restorative justice with his attacker.

A 16-year-old male has apologised for the assault, South Wales Police said.

“This morning I have decided what to make what I hope will be a positive video, last night I was a victim in my home city of a hate crime because of my sexuality,” Thomas said on the video.

In the video, Thomas also thanked the police for allowing him to do restorative justice, because they "would learn more than any other way".

"We can confirm a local 16-year-old boy was dealt with by way of restorative justice following the incident at around 9pm,” police said in a statement.

"Restorative justice was at the request of Mr Thomas and accepted by the teenager who admitted assault and was apologetic for his actions."

Thomas enjoyed a decorated career which included captaining the Lions in New Zealand in 2005 after Brian O'Driscoll's injury.

He retired from international rugby in 2007 as the most capped Welsh Test player of all time before transitioning to rugby league with Welsh Super League side, the Crusaders, in 2010. 

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