Man Sentenced to Six Months for 'Abhorrent Attack' on Kent Mosque
Marcus Edwards, 44, recorded himself placing rashers of bacon on a mosque in Gillingham, Kent, and boasted online that the justice system would not hold him accountable.
During his initial appearance at Medway Magistrates' Court, Edwards was informed that his actions were comparable to the current civil unrest and were highly distressing to the Muslim community. On August 15, he pleaded guilty to racially/religiously aggravated criminal damage and criminal damage.
In his online post, Edwards also asserted that his case would not be referred to the Crown Court and that he would "trash a mosque every day." However, the case was committed to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on August 16, where Edwards received a six-month prison sentence.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) successfully applied for an enhanced sentence due to the hate crime element of Edwards' actions. Without this aggravating factor, he would not have received an immediate custodial sentence, Kent Live reported on Monday.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami from CPS South East commented, "This was an abhorrent attack on a mosque and exceptionally distressing to our local Muslim community at a time when they are already feeling vulnerable because of recent events elsewhere in the country.
“Edwards arrogantly thought he would escape justice and tauntingly suggested he would 'get away' with targeting a place of worship. Within five days, he has been identified, convicted, and faced the full force of the law,” he added.
“The tough prison sentence handed down today, after the CPS successfully applied for a hate crime uplift, proves there is nowhere to hide for those who are intent on spreading hate, malice, and prejudice in our communities."
Source: Agencies
