A 29-year-old man who turned up at a mosque wielding a knife after attacking a group of men, women and children praying has been jailed for 20 months. Callum Mcinally shouted “This is England” before unleashing a torrent of verbal abuse at people gathered outside the Portsmouth Jami Mosque before he punched a man who asked him to leave them alone. He also kicked a prayer mat and shouted racial abuse. The assailant later returned armed with a knife, which he threw away when he heard police sirens, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Mcinally, of Waverley Road, Southsea, Hampshire, pleading guilty to racially or religiously aggravated common assault by beating, assault by beating, racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress and threatening a person with a blade in a public place. He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court. A CPS spokesman said: “The incident, which took place on August 31 at the Portsmouth Jami Mosque, saw Mcinally shouting verbal abuse whilst he approached a small group of men, women and children who were praying.
“After a man from the group asked Mcinally to leave them alone, Mcinally punched him to the chest, kicked a prayer mat and shouted racial abuse.
“Mcinally later returned and pulled out a knife, which he discarded and ran away once he heard police sirens.”
Senior crown prosecutor Harvey Withecombe said: “We ensured that Callum Mcinally appeared before the court straight away.
“The sentence handed today, after the Crown Prosecution Service successfully applied for a hate crime uplift, proves there is nowhere to hide for those who are intent on spreading hate, malice and prejudice in our communities.
“We will continue to act swiftly and robustly regarding these cases and ensure those responsible for such crimes in our communities are brought to justice.”
Chief Inspector Sam Warne, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “I am glad to see the seriousness of this incident recognised in today’s result.
“Mcinally’s behaviour shocked the community, and I hope his sentencing goes someway to helping repair cohesion in our communities.
“My officers and I are dedicated to making Portsmouth a safer place for all. Hate-related incidents such as this will not be tolerated and anyone found to commit such offences will be brought to justice.
“I would like to thank the people of Portsmouth for their support as we continue to work with our partners and community leaders to strengthen our response, both in this and future incidents”