A GAY couple have said how they feared for their lives when they were threatened with a firearm during a homophobic attack while walking through Poole.

First year Bournemouth University student Darren Mcswiggan and his boyfriend Michael King, both 18, were walking from Pitwines Close towards Poole Quay in the early hours of Monday, September 26, when the incident happened.

According to Darren, who is studying computer networking, a car suddenly sped up next to them and the driver and passenger started shouting homophobic abuse at the frightened couple.

“They just pulled up next to us and started shouting some really horrible things,” said Darren.

“But then it took a really frightening turn when they started waving this weapon at us that looked like a gun.

“I was so scared I really thought they were going to kill us but thankfully they just drove off.”

Darren and his boyfriend Michael are both from Kent and have just started university - Darren in Bournemouth and Michael in Leeds.

“Now Michael says he doesn’t want to come back down here to visit me because of what’s happened,” added Darren.

“I just really can’t believe what happened. I’ve never experienced any kind of homophobic abuse before and was shocked that it happened during my first couple of weeks at university.

“It’s now made me feel quite uneasy about going out in the area - especially if I’m with Michael.”

Dorset Police say they are investigating the incident but currently no arrests have been made.

A spokesman confirmed police, including armed officers, were called to Pitwines Close at 12.21am on Monday, September 26.

He added: “It was reported two 18-year-old men were walking along the pavement when a car drove up to them. The driver shouted homophobic abuse toward the pair and then threatened them with what was believed to be a pistol.

“The victims were not physically injured in the incident.

“The vehicle – described as a silver Peugeot 106 or similar – drove off at speed.

“A search of the area was carried out, however the offenders were not identified.”

The driver is described as white, aged in his 20s and had messy dark hair and stubble and had a Polish accent.

The passenger was described as white, aged in his 20s, of slim build and had long messy hair.

For Darren the incident has really soured his first few weeks at university.

“This is the kind of thing you always hear about, but you never think it is going to happen to you,” he added.

“But the sad thing is that these kinds of attacks do still happen, even in the most unlikely places, and I believe the public needs to be made aware of them.

“Hopefully by speaking out there is a chance that the men behind this attack will be found.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 26:5.