Gay couple in building row hit by email abuse

November 24, 2006

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LOFT: David Williams and Nick Hayes

A GAY couple who complained about a é33,000 loft conversion at their home were told: "I hope you're unhappy, I can't stand you."

Nick Heyes and David Williams received an email full of homophobic abuse after complaining about the work carried out at their Didsbury home by Luxus Lofts.

It read: "Dear Mr Gays, I hope you are very unhappy with your loft as I cannot stand benders and neither can anyone who works for us."

The message also challenged them to contact ITV's Builders From Hell show saying: "Please get us on TV asap."

It had been sent from an email address which staff at the Deansgate-based loft conversion specialists had used to communicate with the couple over a number of weeks.

No one at the company was available for comment.

But a receptionist said that others from outside the firm had access to the email account and may have sent the message.

Police have confirmed that they are investigating.

'Offensive'

Mr Williams, 38, an IT systems developer, said: "It's incredibly offensive and something like this is completely unacceptable in today's society.

"It's bigotry and it's just not right. Whoever wrote this email should not be allowed to get away with it.

"The company should hold an investigation to see who is responsible."

The couple employed Luxus Lofts to convert their attic into two bedrooms and a bathroom in June.

But they say that the work has been plagued with problems and is still unfinished.

Mr Heyes, 41, an electronic engineer, said: "It's been like living in a bombsite with all the mess everywhere."

When they emailed the company to complain, they say they were shocked to receive the reply which was sent at 11.53pm.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "I can confirm that we have received an official complaint about an offensive email, and we are currently investigating the matter."

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Bejjy, Ex Salford (24/11/2006 at 10:10)

Lets hope that the police can identify the perpetrater(s) who sent these vile e-mails and that they are placed before, and dealt with by the Criminal Justice system as an example to all the other bigots living in society.

Kat, Manchester (24/11/2006 at 10:50)

The person who sent this needs to grow up!

ANDY, MANCHESTER (24/11/2006 at 12:52)

I hope the Police get these people ,there is no place for people like them and they lose the jobs.

Chris, Manchester (24/11/2006 at 12:56)

If this is discovered to have been sent by an employee of Luxus Lofts, they should complete the work free of charge.

mcrgeorge, brighton (24/11/2006 at 13:51)

The police and the company involved need to find who sent the email to these guys asap.

Brian, U.S.A (24/11/2006 at 16:41)

I don't think gays should be treated like this in 2006. It's just not right and the people involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

F SMITH, MERSEYSIDE (24/11/2006 at 18:30)

I would just like to say I have had direct experience of LUXUS Lofts and am glad they have been highlighted in MEN. If they have sent the e-mail to these two guys they need to be ashamed of themselves.

Steve, manchester (24/11/2006 at 18:43)

as an IT technician who has worked for overseas Police Forces I know that it is VERY easy for the Police to find out who sent this. At this time of night it probably was sent from someones home using a work account. The IP address of the sender can be traced back from the email header and thus back to the ISP who would have logs of who Owned the IP at 11.53 pm. I am willing to bet that the police will not follow this through

markyboy, manchester (24/11/2006 at 18:46)

and this story gets in the papers why????.
this couple need to to get a reality check, obviously they went to the media just to get the work finished at no extra charge.
people are getting blown to bits in iraq and they complain about a few words!!!.
what was that old rhyme now... sticks & stones blah blah.

jh, manchester (24/11/2006 at 19:42)

I think if the evening news or the police look more into this firm they would be very surprised at who owns it and at what is going on my friend had them to do work and the heart break they caused them was unbelievable they had to have all of it done again they have vidios of the mess before and after it would also be interesting if other customers would get intouch with the manchester evening news and tell them there story

Terre Rossman, Nashville, TN (24/11/2006 at 20:03)

I truly hope you are successful in your complaint against the homophobic hate mail sent to you.

Here in US. somewhere in Texas, a gay couple employed a landscape company that dismissed the couple from their valid and legal contract because they were gay and refused to continue to work on their land. Instead, of upholding a lawsuit against the company, the landscape firm got 40% increase from homophobic right wing Christians guaranteeing that they will sign up with the landscape firm if they continue to ban gay clients.

There is more hatred in this country than all of Europe put together.

I wish you well.

Fluffer, Manchester (24/11/2006 at 20:10)

Irrespective of the offensive comments made to these 2 guys regarding their sexuality, I find it incredible that a company would treat their customers in such a manner. Hope the company folds.

Terry, Wythenshawe (25/11/2006 at 01:10)

This is very offensive,childish & ultimately counter productive.

Rob, stockport (25/11/2006 at 16:47)

Dear Markyboy,Beleive it or not there are gay people in the military too.This may seem like a trivial issue to you,but intolerance can lead to physical aggression,and ultimately murder.I hope the person/people who sent this e-mail are dealt with by the law,and their company.They need to know in no uncertain terms that we are no longer living in a society where bigots rule.

Garry Hume, Bradford, England (26/11/2006 at 01:05)

This is disgusting. I really hope that this is properly looked into.
Everyone has the right to complain if work hasn't been done to a satisfactory level.And so what if the couple are gay.That doesn't mean anything....

markyboy, manchester (26/11/2006 at 16:10)

to rob of stockport:
please read my posting properly, where did i have a go at their sexuality or those of soldiers in iraq??????.

Sarah, Manchester (27/11/2006 at 14:38)

Markyboy - it is the editor of the MEN who decides what is newsworthy. I suggest you direct your complaint at him/her. This is a local newspaper and will therefore publish stories of local interest. Whilst international affairs are important, it is also important to document issues affecting the inhabitants of Manchester, wouldn't you agree? Can I expect to see a similar comment from you on every story not about Iraq or is it something else you object to?

ROB, stockport (27/11/2006 at 22:16)

Markyboy,The point I was making was that you seemed to be minimising the homophobia the couple have experienced.I can see that you have not got a problem with their sexuality.Your beef is about what becomes news...and what doesn't.That seems clearer after your second letter.I agree with your point about the press often ignoring very important issues,and offering the public meaningless pap.The item concerned however does not seem to fall into the trivial category,it is a piece which reveals hatred towards innocent people,and exposes bigotry.It also serves as a reminder of what many decent people have to put up with, simply due to being gay . News management is a funny thing,but there is only so much the press can or will write about any single subject, often because they want to sell papers and/or shape public opinion.As far as papers concerned with actual news are concerned even a massive tragedy like the Iraq war,can sadly,eventually become less newsworthy.This seems to be partly because there is a limit to how much a paper can write about any one subject,even one as enormous,and World changing as Iraq.Also there are other important stories which need reporting.There are also those "newspapers"which seem totally unconcerned with being any sort of window on the World (such as the Daily Star) and are more likely to print stories about Paris Hilton or some other vacuous celeb type, than anything concerning hunger,disease,war or poverty which ruin and end many lives every single day.I feel angry about pointless deaths of soldiers and civilians ,in a war fought for the interests of US oilmen.I also feel angry about prejudice towards people who don't deserve it...and that prejudice can lead to tragedy and misery too.There is no sense in any of it , both seem wrong in my opinion.

TomKat in Georgia, USA (28/11/2006 at 03:23)

It's a sad day when there are still ignorant people out there that have to shovel on the abuse because of their own insecurities. The victims paid for a top notch job and didn't get it, they have a right to complain. That should be the end of story, but sadly in this day and time there are still many people out there that spew out nothing but venom and hatred for anyone different than they. Homophobia unfortunately is alive and well in 2006. To the couple in England, go after them with all you have that is you. We cannot let these ignorant people continue on in the present direct things are going. We have to educate and prosecute if and when necessary depending on the offense. Most people are open to knowledge it's those in the minority that you have to look out for their the sicko's. Good luck to the loft owners in finding out who and taking the appropriate measures.

A. Victim, South Manchester (02/02/2007 at 21:37)

This firm is basically a one man band in Manchester. Sales, management (as if) and customer service (yeah right) are all the same guy.
If you go to this firm the result is total misery. Please, please, please avoid Luxus Loft Conversions. I wish I had.

Lucrezia Borgia, London (29/05/2007 at 23:02)

Hello Nick and David!
If you read this can you leave your email so that I can contact you? I have had a rotten experience with Luxus Lofts aswell and would like to pool information.
Thanks!

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