Three men have been charged following a stabbing incident that left three people injured outside a prominent LGBTQ+ venue in Liverpool city centre.
Merseyside Police were called to Tithebarn Street shortly after 6.30am on Sunday 20 September after reports that three men had been stabbed. All three victims were taken to hospital, with one remaining in a stable condition.
Detectives believe the violence occurred after an altercation between two groups inside GBar, one of Liverpool's longest-running LGBTQ+ venues, before spilling out onto nearby streets.
Following what police described as a "relentless" investigation involving CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness statements, three suspects were arrested and later charged.
Patrick Morgan, 31, and Jonny Gee, 18, have each been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. Stephen Gee, 22, has been charged with one count of Section 18 wounding, violent disorder and possession of a Class B controlled drug.
All three appeared before Wirral Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 23 September.
The incident sparked concern within Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community, given its proximity to GBar, a well-known venue in the city's Pride Quarter. However, police have stressed there is currently no evidence to suggest the attack was motivated by hate.
Detective Chief Inspector Lisa McNaughton previously said investigators had found "no suggestion" that the stabbing had a hate crime element, despite taking place outside a recognised LGBTQ+ venue.
Liverpool BCU Chief Superintendent Natalie Perischine said officers had worked around the clock to identify those responsible and reiterated Merseyside Police's "zero-tolerance" approach to knife crime in the city centre.
According to reports, GBar's licence has since been suspended and the venue has been closed pending further proceedings.
Police enquiries remain ongoing, and officers are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
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