US student charged for lying about anti-gay attack

A student who lied about being the victim of a homophobic attack has been charged with filing a false report.

Quinn Matney, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of North Carolina, claimed that a man shouted anti-gay abuse at him and burned his wrist.

He said the assault happened on campus on April 4th and was treated in hospital for a severe burn.

He went to campus authorities the next day but police soon determined he had injured himself and made up the incident.

A police report said he was charged last Friday. He will appear in court next month.

On campus, gay student groups have been sympathetic to Mr Matney.

According to IndyWeek.com, a meeting was held in support of the student.

Jeff DeLuca, the co-president of the university’s LGBT-straight alliance, said: “We want [him] to know I felt a great sense of support and hope for him in this room tonight.

“My first priority is making sure he knows that the time is right for him to come back here, he will be welcomed with open arms.”