CPS successfully applies for tougher sentence for man who targeted mosques

A man who caused damage to two mosques, a café and the Palestine Mission to the UK with red paint on eleven separate occasions has been sentenced to an increased penalty today after the CPS successfully applied for a hate crime uplift.

Jonathan Katan, 62, committed these crimes over the course of a month between October and November last year, with the first attack taking place just a week after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023.

In similar circumstances each time, he threw a tin of red paint or sprayed red paint from a bottle over the front doors and entrance ways to buildings.

Katan pleaded guilty to eleven counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage.

At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today (8 August 2024), he was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

Katan was further ordered to pay £2650 in compensation to victims.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor and CPS national lead for Hate Crime, said, “Hate crimes motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment are completely unacceptable and have no place in society.

“This defendant committed his crimes at the height of the initial surge in Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents, with the intention of spreading fear, distress, and division among the local community.

“Today, he has been brought to justice through strong partnership working with the police and our community partners. Our joint commitment in tackling these abhorrent crimes and bringing more offenders to justice, remains unwavering.”

The CPS used a Community Impact Statement and Victim Impact Statements to demonstrate the personal and wider impact such hate crimes have in our communities and applied for a sentence uplift in recognition of the severity of the hate crimes committed in this case.

This meant that Katan received an increased punishment for targeting Muslim communities in this appalling way. Without the sentence uplift, he would have received a community order rather than a more serious suspended custodial sentence.

Iman Atta OBE, Director of Tell MAMA, said “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”.