A hate-spreading anti-semite, who pasted insulting posters to a synagogue in east London, has been sentenced.
The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command investigated the hate campaign aimed at the local Jewish community.
Shehroz Iqbal, 27, of Kenwood Gardens, Ilford, wore camouflage clothing while distributing the posters at the place of worship and near Gants Hill Underground Station.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court he pleaded guilty to displaying written material that was threatening, abusive or insulting intending thereby to stir up racial hatred.
Iqbal received 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, 30 days rehabilitation, 60 hours unpaid work and a £100 fine for breach of a previous suspended sentence.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:“The slogans on the posters Iqbal was displaying were clearly intended to stir up racial hatred towards the Jewish community.
“Police quickly responded to the situation and carried out a thorough investigation, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of Iqbal.
“I praise the actions of the member of public who swiftly reported the incident to police.
“By people coming forward with such information we can act to quickly resolve a situation, as we have done here.
“The Met is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and this investigation shows our determination to pursue those who seek to sow racial hate and division within London’s communities.
“I want to reassure the Jewish community, and indeed, all of London’s communities, that we take such offences extremely seriously and will strive to identify and bring those responsible to justice.”
On the evening of March 17, 2017, a member of the public exiting Gants Hill Underground Station via the underpass saw Iqbal, who was dressed in camouflage clothing and a hoody, taping posters to the underpass walls.
On closer inspection, he saw that the posters displayed anti-Semitic messages and called the police.
He then saw Iqbal walk out of the exit and towards the Chabad Lubavitch Synagogue to which he attached more anti-Semitic posters.
This was all caught on CCTV.
Local police arrived shortly afterwards, but Iqbal had already fled.
They seized the posters, which were forensically examined and subsequently linked to Iqbal.
The investigation was furthered by the Counter Terrorism Command and on March 23, 2018 detectives arrested Iqbal at his home address.
He was taken to an east London police station for questioning and admitted to the offence.
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