Redbridge mosque attack accused ‘hurled bricks’, court told

A gang hurled bricks at a mosque while a 16-year-old boy repeatedly screamed “EDL” in a reference to the far right organisation, a court has heard.

The group of six tried to storm Redbridge Islamic Centre, Eastern Avenue, Redbridge after taunting worshippers arriving for evening prayers with racist chants, jurors heard today.

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, Eliot Jones, 19, both of no fixed address and Rocky Beale, 21, of Purleigh Avenue, Woodford Green are alleged to have taken part in the attack on March 24.

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

Prosecutor Pam Oon said the 16-year-old boy “threw a brick, which smashed the front window of the mosque”.

Two people then ran inside, one of who 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.”

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

All six deny violent disorder.

The trial continues.

London 24