A racist who spat at and called a Muslim bus driver a “Muslim terrorist b*stard” and subjected staff at a betting shop to racist abuse before damaging the building received a 10-month prison sentence this week.
Michael Mongan, 39, from Ealing in west London had targeted a branch of Ladbrokes in Northolt on 27 July and received bail after admitting guilt at Ealing Magistrates’ Court two days later.
Mongan targeted a Muslim bus driver in Hayes on 7 August in a shocking act of anti-Muslim and Islamophobic abuse and threats – where he called the driver a “Muslim terrorist b*stard” and spat at him as a member of the public filmed the abuse.
Officers arrested him two days later and prosecutors at the Crown Prosecution Service’s out-of-hours charging service (CPS Direct) authorised charges of religiously aggravated harassment and criminal damage, to which he pleaded guilty on 10 August.
During the trial, prosecutors read out a community impact statement from Tell MAMA to “explain the profound impact Mongan’s actions had not only on the individual he aimed his vitriol at, but also the wider community.”
Judge Comfort told Mongan: “Your behaviour (occurred) when there was violent disorder in other parts of the country against Muslims and other groups.”
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS London North, made clear following the sentencing that: “Mongan’s disgusting racism shocked our community and the thousands who saw it played out online.
“After being denied travel because he could not pay the fare, Mongan hurled hateful abuse at a bus driver who was simply doing their job.
“His actions come at a time of unrest which has left many feeling unsafe to go about their daily lives. The fact Mongan was on bail for a similar offence shows he lacked any contrition or remorse.
“Such behaviour has no place in our communities, and we will continue to work closely with the police to identify offenders who will face the full force of the law.”
Following his guilty pleas on 10 August, Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command at the Metropolitan Police welcomed the verdict and stated: “I’m glad Mongan has been swiftly brought to justice and will now face the consequences of his actions.”
Prosecutors had also successfully applied a hate crime sentence uplift to ensure Mongan received a custodial sentence.
Tell MAMA also provided a community impact statement after 62-year-old Jonathan Katan targeted two mosques, a café and the Palestine Mission to the UK with red paint having previously admitted 11 counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage. He received an 11-week prison sentence suspended for two years. Katan must pay £2,650 in compensation to victims, complete 240 hours of unpaid work and complete twenty Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
In a statement, Tell MAMA’s director Iman Atta stated: “As with many anti-Muslim attacks, this case had a profound impact on individuals and wider Muslim communities.
“The Criminal Justice System can play a significant role in allaying fears and improving the confidence of victims of such crimes.
“By working in partnership and prosecuting those who commit such crimes against Muslim communities, this sends out a strong message that anti-Muslim hate crime will not be tolerated in society”.