Durham fresher attacked on his way home for wearing a gown

He was hit after his first formal


A John Snow fresher was assaulted after his first formal dinner on Thursday night.

Michael Emmett, 18, was first verbally assaulted and then physically when he was punched in the face by an unknown man.

The accounting and finance student was beaten because of his gown as he walked down Trinity Mews with his friends also dressed the same.

Michael Emmett on the right

Assaulted between 20:00 and 20:30, the suspect shouted aggressive remarks about the appearance of the gowned freshers. Allegedly he shouted: “What are you looking at?” before punching Michael in the face and running away.

The fresher was left with a bloodied nose and cuts to his face.  Although Michael didn’t need a doctor, the police are taking it seriously and want witnesses to help identify the man.

Michael was diplomatic, stating that it would not affect his view of Stockton. As Durham is in the top 5 safest university cities in the country the incident was fairly uncharacteristic of the area.