More charges could be laid against a 20-year-old man accused in an alleged gay-bashing in the West End Saturday morning.

Michael Kandola is charged with assault causing bodily harm, but his lawyer says the Crown is considering additional charges.

He made a brief apprearance Monday morning at Vancouver's newly established community court, but returns to provincial court Tuesday morning.

Kandola was arrested Saturday night after two gay men were surrounded and taunted by four Indo-Canadian men.

Jordan Smith and a friend were walking along Davie Street and Hornby Street at 5 a.m. Saturday, holding hands, when it happened.

"They started screaming obscenities at us, fags, queers, anything you can imagine," recalled Smith. "The stuff they said to us was disgusting."

Smith's jaw was broken in three places after Kandola allegedly attacked him, punching him in the head and knocking him unconscious.

"I could have been dead. My friend could have been beaten up," said Smith.

Smith is having surgery Monday to wire his jaw shut so it can set properly.

Investigators are recommending the assault prosecuted as a hate crime, which may make the penalty more severe. Vancouver Police Const. Tim Fanning says they strong evidence to support the case.

"There were slurs towards the victim's sexuality that were heard by several witnesses," he says.

Kandola is known to police, but Const. Fanning did not provide any further information.

Police are hoping to speak with witnesses in the incident and review surveillance footage from area businesses for more information.

Victims scared to come forward

Workers at a local community centre say they hear similar stories of violence and verbal abuse, but victims are often hesitant to come forward.

"A lot of people are still quite afraid of what they're going to encounter when they call police, and whether they'll be taken seriously," said Jennifer Breakspear, the executive director of The Centre.

Const. Fanning is urging anyone who has had a problem of this nature to come forward.

"We ask that the gay community, or any community that feels they have been a victim of a hate crime, to tell us right away," he says.

"We take these matters very seriously, and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," says Fanning.

The Centre is teaming up with police to hold a series of public meetings starting next month.

"We're going to be going out into our communities with the police and asking if there is underreporting of crimes in our community, and why," she said.