Manchester Evening News.“We were holding hands and they started shouting over at us calling us faggots and gay boys,” Winnard said. “We carried on walking as we had no intention of starting any confrontation with them.”However, the men proceeded to attack the couple, with Winnard reporting being struck repeatedly with a hammer.“Before we knew it, there were around five to six lads dressed in balaclavas and gloves running at us,” he continued.