4 arrested in beating of lesbian couple on London bus

The teens were arrested Friday and on suspicion of robbery and aggravated GBH (hate crime), according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police of London. They are being questioned at separate London police stations, police said.

“This was a disgusting attack on two women who appear to have been picked out and targeted by a group of youths,” said Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Cox. “CCTV footage from the attack is being reviewed by detectives. We continue to appeal for information from the public, particularly those who were present on the bus before or after the attack to come forward and tell police what they saw.”

Melania Geymonat, 28, posted a picture to Facebook that she said shows her and her girlfriend, Chris, after the attack. The two appear to be covered in blood. The picture is accompanied with Geymonat's recollection of the incident.

Geymonat said she and Chris were sitting in the top deck of the bus when they somehow drew the attention of at least four men. The men moved themselves near the women and began harassing them, she said.

“They started behaving like hooligans, demanding that we kissed so they could enjoy watching, calling us ‘lesbians’ and describing sexual positions,” Geymonat wrote.

Geymonat said she started making jokes in an attempt to defuse the situation, and Chris pretended to be sick. But the men continued harassing them, Geymonat said, and began throwing coins at them.

"The next thing I know is that Chris is in the middle of the bus fighting with them," Geymonat said. "On an impulse, I went over there only to find her face bleeding and three of them beating her up. The next thing I know is I'm being punched."

The men ran off the bus after the assault, police said in a statement. They also stole a phone and a purse from the couple.

The women were treated at a hospital for facial injuries.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted about the attack, calling it "disgusting" and "misogynistic."

“Hate crimes against the LGBT+ community will not be tolerated in London,” he said.