Despicable moment Aussie couple are 'targeted' by strangers and pelted with sand while swimming at a beach on their European holiday
- Couple were taking photos at beach
- Children allegedly threw sand at the pair
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Disturbing footage has captured the moment a gay couple claim they were targeted by strangers and pelted with sand at a European beach because of their sexuality.
Aussie man Ricky Liu and his boyfriend Craig were taking photos in the water at Bacvice Beach, near the coastal city of Split, in southern Croatia, around 3pm on July 12.
Mr Liu, who lives in London, noticed children were throwing sand towards them and thought they were just pulling a prank.
He uploaded a video to TikTok afterwards claiming the reason for the act was much more sinister.
'I walked up to them and I was, like, "can you please stop throwing sand at us?",' Mr Liu said.
He claimed the group taunted him for being gay.
Footage captured the Aussie speaking to several of the children during the altercation before sand was thrown in his direction.
Mr Liu said some of the sand got caught in his eye and and confronted the group a second time after deciding he had enough of the 'bullying'.
Ricky Liu (pictured left) and his boyfriend Craig (pictured right) were taking photos at the beach when children allegedly began to throw sand at the couple
Mr Liu was seen in the video telling one of the children that he was recording the incident and that he would have no hesitation sending it to police.
'I was recording the whole time. I was fearful for my own safety, but also I will not let this injustice go unrecorded,' Mr Liu said.
The couple, who were also with a friend, then decided to head back to shore but claim they continued to cop abuse from strangers.
Mr Liu claimed a man and a woman threw pebbles and cigarettes at them before the woman spat on the ground while they were getting dressed.
As they walked away from the beach, Mr Liu said a man followed them and pushed Craig into a tree before punching him.
'If you're gay and you go to Croatia, you need to watch out,' he said.
'I have to be fearful of my safety for the rest of my holiday.'
Mr Liu, who was on holidays in Croatia, claimed a man and a woman allegedly threw pebbles and cigarettes at the couple after they got back to shore (stock image)
Social media users were quick to share their disgust at the behaviour shown by the strangers.
'I'm so sorry that you had to experience this,' one wrote.
'I’m so sorry this happened to you. I was in Split this summer and luckily [I] didn’t experience this however, many people were quick to judge and stare,' another said.
Mr Liu uploaded another TikTok video last Sunday and claimed the man who punched his partner has since been charged.
He said Croatia Police are now in contact with his friend.
Croatia Police said in a statement that a 31-year-old man, who allegedly attacked Craig, was arrested in the Virovitica area on July 14.
'In relation to the other participants, it was determined that they were children under the age of 14,' police said in a statement.
'Given the fact that a child under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia is not criminally liable, criminal and/or misdemeanor proceedings cannot be initiated against them'.
Police said they are cooperating with authorities overseas to conduct an interview with the couple as part of their investigation.
