Mateusz Pawlikowski, 22, and friend Piotr Czak-Zukowski, 28, have been jailed after being convicted of throwing bacon inside Al-Rahman Mosque in Camden, London , England and at Muslims praying.
The incident occurred at approximately 7pm on Sunday, 2nd October 2016, Mateusz Pawlikowski approached a bystander at the mosque and hurled obscenities at the victim before throwing rashers of bacon at the bystander and then inside the prayer hall.
The pair fled the scene whilst worshippers contacted the police. the police caught up with 28-year-old Piotr and after a search found an empty pack of bacon rasher on his person.
The duo was arrested and charged with a count of criminal damage and one charge of racial/religious public order offense, both men pleaded guilty at Highbury Magistrates' Court.
Judge Peter Clarke QC convicted both the polish nationals for 8-months in jail, he said regarding the hate -crime, "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."
Judge Clarke went on to say, “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.”
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."