LEAL: EDL YOBS THROUGH BRICKS AT MOSQUE IMAM IN RACIST ATTACK

A gang of thugs launched bricks at a mosque while a 16-year-old boy repeatedly screamed ‘EDL’ in a reference to the far right organisation, a court heard.

The group tried to storm the building in east London after taunting worshippers arriving for evening prayers with sickening racist chants, jurors heard.

The building’s front window was smashed and the imam was hit by a brick as he tried to pursue them, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.

Ryan Jones, 23, Rocky Beale, 21 and Eliot Jones, 19, are alleged to have taken part in the attack at the Redbridge Islamic Centre, in Eastern Avenue, Ilford, on March 24 this year.

Daniel Leal, 19, Matthew Stephenson 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are also said to have been involved in the attack.

‘One witness who was driving his car along Eastern Avenue, saw some males picking up objects and throwing them at the mosque,’ said Pam Oon, prosecuting.

‘He could also hear them shouting and as he drove closer he saw five males standing in the forecourt of the mosque.

‘They were grabbing from a pile of bricks stacked there and shouting: “Muslim b—–ds, dirty P—s , Muslim w—-rs”.

‘They were also kicking the white fencing and panels on the front of the mosque.’

The 16-year-old boy was continued shouting and swearing, she added.

‘He was chanting “EDL”, which I understand stands for English Defence League,’ she said.

‘This same man threw a brick, which smashed the front window of the mosque.’

Two people then ran inside, one of whom was identified as the 16-year-old using DNA from blood found at the scene, the court was told.

It was then that imam Shafeel Begg and caretaker Mohammed Wahud gave chase, said Ms Oon.

‘In the process the caretaker was injured by some broken glass,’ she told jurors.

‘When the imam and the caretaker came out of the mosque, the youths were still throwing bricks and shouting abuse, before they ran down Eastern Avenue towards Redbridge Tube station.

‘It was then that a man with a dark top waited until the imam and the caretaker were following before throwing a brick at the imam.

‘The object did make contact but he still followed them to the area where they were arrested.’

The 16-year-old continued his chants while he was arrested, the court was told.

‘He tried to move away, and was saying “EDL, EDL, EDL”,’ said Ms Oon.

‘He said “I’m going to come back and burn your Paki mosque down”.’

He told police that he had been attacked by a group of men from the mosque with iron bars but have no comment in interview, she added.

Other group members are alleged to have spat at officers and used racist insults during their arrests.

They denied having committed any offences in their interviews, the court was told.

Five nearby parked cars and a number of neighbouring homes were also damaged before the gang arrived at the mosque, Ms Oon said.

Beale, of (50) Purleigh Avenue, Woodford Green, Essex, Eliot and Ryan Jones, both of no fixed address, Leal, of (84) Queenborough Gardens, Ilford, Matthew Stephenson, of (67) Burrow Road, in Chigwell, and the 16-year-old all deny violent disorder.

The trial continues.