Antisemitic abuser fined after successful CPS prosecution

A man who shouted antisemitic abuse at an orthodox Jewish man in Stamford Hill this week has been prosecuted for a hate crime.

Kevin Joseph, aged 60, pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated intentional harassment at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 18 October 2023.

Having heard the victim’s Impact Statement and Community Impact Statements from Dr. Dave Rich, Director of Policy at the Community Security Trust, and from Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, Central East Borough Command Unit, the court fined Joseph £200, announcing that the amount was increased from £120 in recognition of the seriousness of the antisemitic hate crime he had committed.

The incident happened at approximately 9:30am on 17 October 2023 when Joseph became abusive to the victim, who was dressed in traditional orthodox Jewish clothing, at a bakery on Clapton Common Road, threatening him and using antisemitic language in an appalling example of a hate crime.

He was arrested by police and prosecuted by the CPS at court within 24 hours, delivering swift justice for the victim who will undoubtedly have been caused significant alarm and distress by Joseph’s actions.

Varinder Hayre, CPS London North Hate Crime Lead, said: “All hate crimes have a significant impact on victims and the wider community, so it is vitally important prosecutors use Community Impact Statements to demonstrate the dangerous and corrosive affect hate crimes have, and apply to the court for sentence uplifts to ensure that perpetrators receive increased punishments.

Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “There is simply no place for hate of any kind on the streets of London. 
“We will continue to support victims and witnesses who come forward to report examples of any hate crime they have experienced, prosecuting perpetrators whenever our legal test is met.

“We would like to thank the victim for supporting the prosecution of this case, and extend further thanks to Dr. Dave Rich and Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway for making it clear how hate crime affects our local communities.”