Mateusz Pawlikowski (left) and Piotr Czak-Zukowski were each sentenced to eight months in prison at Blackfriars Crown Court (Photo: Metropolitan Police)

Nadine Osman

Two Polish men who hurled abuse and pelted a worshipper with rashers of bacon at a mosque in north London were jailed on November 1.

Mateusz Pawlikowski, 22, and Piotr Czak-Zukowski, 28, threw the meat inside the Al-Rahman Mosque in Camden, London, as worshippers got ready for evening prayers at about 7pm on October 2.

The pair, who hurled expletives at one man before throwing rashers of bacon at him and onto the floor at his feet, was each sentenced to eight months in prison at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The court heard how distressed worshippers immediately alerted police to the incident.
The pair fled the scene but officers tracked them down and arrested them the following afternoon.

When officers searched Czak-Zukowski they found an empty packet of bacon in his pocket.

Pawlikowski and Czak-Zukowski, both from north London, each pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage and a racial and religious public order offence at an earlier hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

They were remanded in custody until their sentencing over fears for their safety if they were bailed.

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.”