Wembley Man Jailed for Racist Van Attack on Mosque Worshippers
A man from Wembley has been locked up for deliberately driving a van at a crowd leaving a Muslim community centre in a shocking hate crime.
Racist Attack Outside Muslim Centre
Martin Stokes, 25, of Lynton Close, Wembley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and a religiously aggravated offence. At Harrow Crown Court on 6 March, he was sentenced to five years behind bars and banned from driving for seven-and-a-half years.
The horrifying incident happened just after midnight on 19 September 2018, outside The Al Hussaini Association Muslim community centre in Cricklewood. Stokes and his friends were drinking and smoking in a nearby car park during a private event when stewards asked them to move on due to causing a disturbance.
Instead of leaving quietly, Stokes hurled racist abuse before deliberately ramming his van into a group of worshippers leaving the centre. He then sped off, leaving three people injured. One man in his 50s suffered severe hip and leg injuries that saw him hospitalised for over three weeks.
Police Praise Community and Crack Down on Hate Crime
Brent CID launched an investigation. Stokes was arrested on 23 October 2018 and charged. Detective Sergeant Kelly Schonhage from the North West Command Unit said:
“Stokes selfishly drove his car at a group of innocent pedestrians and had no regard whatsoever for their safety. It is very fortunate that no lives were lost in this incident and we are pleased that Stokes has now been brought to justice.”
Javid Rana, Chair of the Association of Muslim Police, added:
“This prosecution sends a clear message that the MPS does not tolerate hate crime of any nature and takes such matters very seriously.”
Mosque Community Reacts to Attack
Mohammed Al Bayati of the Al Hussaini Association condemned the attack, which took place during Muharram, a sacred period in the Islamic calendar. He said:
“Our members faced racist and anti-Islamic taunts before a violent attack where a vehicle was deliberately driven onto the pavement targeting worshippers, including men, women, and children. The serious injuries sustained could have been far worse without the bravery of community wardens and residents.”
Al Bayati also praised police efforts:
“We are grateful to Commander Simon Rose, Detective Sergeant Kelly Schonhage, and their teams for their swift action, helping bring reassurance to our community.”
