Pet influencer calls on transport police to investigate ‘distressing homophobic’ incident

One half of Instagram favourites Lupin in London has been subjected to homophobic abuse while in a public transport lift. Police are now appealing for witnesses. 

Jerome and Jacques are best know for being daddies to Russian Blue, Lupin, also known as “London’s favourite therapy cat”, and their Bengal Rajah, whom the pair deem to be “London’s favourite leopard looking cat”. 

The pair and their cats have amassed 140,000 loyal fans thanks to their feel-good content, which offers busy and often stressed Londoners much-needed free pet therapy. 

In January, Jerome was subjected to homophobic abuse while walking his cat in a London park, an incident that led him to urge people to report such incidents. 

“I want people who go through this to understand it’s not okay, to call it out for what it is, and to realise there is often intent behind these actions,” he said.

Now, his partner Jacques has faced what he believes was “homophobia” in a public transport lift. 

The incident, which occurred at Hampstead station on 5 February, was reported immediately by Jacques to British Transport Police (BTP). 

Jacques recalled the incident, which he said left him feeling “distressed”: “I was in the lift, which was busy, and there was a guy who was staring at me. He looked unhappy with be being in the lift. I wasn’t getting a nice vibe for him and he kept looking at me with disdain. I didn’t look back at him, but then he began saying things about me. I had my headphones in but could half hear what he was saying. Then he spat in my direction.” 

He was told by other travellers that the man had called him a pedophile – one of the oldest and most harmful homophobic tropes. 

‘I was really gutted’

Jacques said he believes the man called him that just because he was “looking more fashionable than usual” and wearing a handbag with a picture of his cat printed on it. 

The pet influencer said the man quickly walked away, not giving him a chance to confront him, which he described as “quite cowardly”. 

“I was really gutted because this behaviour is unacceptable and people like that should be held accountable.”

In a bid to ensure crime against the LGBTQ+ community is reported – as historically they haven’t  been – he is now calling for BTP to review CCTV footage of the incident and take action against the perpetrator. 

Witnesses called to come forward

A BTP spokesperson told PinkNews: “We received a report of an assault in a lift at Hampstead station at around 4.10pm on Thursday 5 February.

“Enquiries are ongoing, and officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, either by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 618 of 5 February.”

Hate crimes targeting people on the grounds of their sexuality, gender identity or disability could be made an aggravated offence if a proposed new law is passed.

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