2 jailed for throwing bacon in north London mosque

Mateusz Pawlikowski, 22 (5.10.94) of Wilton Road, N10 and Piotr Czak-Zukowski, 28 (23.7.88) of Sneath Avenue, NW11, both Polish nationals, appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court today, Tuesday 1 November, where they were both sentenced to eight months' imprisonment for criminal damage and eight months' imprisonment for a racial / religious public order offence. The sentences are to run concurrently.

At approximately 19.00hrs on Sunday 2 October, worshippers at the Al-Rahman Mosque in Crowndale Road NW1 were preparing for evening prayer when the pair entered the venue.

Pawlikowski approached one of the worshippers, swore at him, and threw a rasher of bacon towards him, continuing to throw further rashers on the floor of the prayer room.

The suspects then left the venue and police were called. Their descriptions were relayed and a short time later officers stopped Pawlikowski minutes from the mosque. He matched one of the descriptions provided.

When questioned by police he said he had been out in Canary Wharf with a friend who was now in Camden Lock.Officers took him to the Camden Lock area where they spotted Czak-Zukowski, who again matched the witness description. On searching him officers found an empty bacon packet in his pocket.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and taken into custody and later charged.

On Tuesday 4 October they pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court and were remanded in custody.

DC Tracey McMath, from the Camden Community Safety Unit, said: "The defendants showed a complete disregard for the faith and belief of others in this callous and highly offensive incident; and I hope their convictions highlight that we will not tolerate hate crime in any of its forms.

"I know this incident has had a significant impact on the community and commend the victims for speaking up. Hate crime is often a hidden crime and it is essential we stand together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all such allegations, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice."

You can report hate crime through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a Police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app Self Evident or through community reporting methods such as Tell mama or the CST.