Jail for men who pelted worshippers with bacon at Camden mosque

The al Rahman mosque in Crowndale Street, Camden (Image: Archant)

Mateusz Pawlikowski, 22, of Wilton Road, Muswell Hill, and Piotr Czak-Zukowski, 28, of Sneath Avenue, Golders Green, threw the meat inside the Al-Rahman Mosque in Camden as worshippers got ready for evening prayers.

The pair, both Polish nationals, burst into the mosque at around 7pm on October 2 and hurled expletives at one man before throwing rashers of bacon at him and onto the floor at his feet in the prayer room.

Rashers of bacon were also left inside shoes in the venue.

The men fled and police were called and they were given a description of the suspects

A short time later officers stopped Pawlikowski minutes from the mosque, in Crowndale Street. He matched one of the descriptions provided.

Officers arrested Czak-Zukowski in the Camden Lock area with an empty bacon packet in his pocket.

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

They pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on October 4 and were remanded in custody.

Both men were 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.

Speaking after the sentencing, 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.”