A man was given a conditional discharge after admitting throwing bacon and sausages over a fence at a mosque. Appearing at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday last week, Alexis Garner, 31, of Anson Road, Willesden Green, admitted throwing the meat on Wednesday, June 26, as “a cry for help”.
The court heard Garner purchased bacon and sausages from a shop, then threw the meat over the fence at the Mosque and Islamic Centre in Howard Road, Cricklewood, at 5.46am.
A man who attends the mosque arrived at 8am and saw the meat, following which police were contacted. Brent officers carried out enquiries and from CCTV footage at the shop where the meat was purchased, they were able to identify Garner and made the arrest.
Defending, Miss Down told District Judge Michael Jebbit that Garner has a history of mental health problems. She explained there had been a breakdown in his treatment and he had been without medication for two or three months on account of his care coordinator officer being on leave.
She told the court: “There have been real failings here by the mental health team who are meant to be supporting him. It was a cry for help rather than being motivated on racist grounds. No one was hurt and the meat that was thrown was not thrown inside the mosque, it was outside on the ground.”
Judge Jebbit said it was “bizarre behaviour” but told the court that while the charges were serious, they did not justify a custodial sentence. Judge Jebbit said: “It is just so grossly offensive to the owners of the mosque. You knew it would cause offence.” The judge said Garner had a history of mental issues.
Garner admitted two charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, in a religious or racially aggravated manner. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a £15 surcharge.
A charge of causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence was dropped.