Religiously aggravated charge reinstated after community outrage

The Crown Prosecution Service have reinstated the racially aggravated element of charges against a man who allegedly attacked several members of the Jewish community in Stamford Hill last summer.

Abdullah Qureshi, 28, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates last month to a spate of assaults over two hours on August 18 last year.

The original charges included “racially or religiously” aggravation but were later dropped and Qureshi, of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to four counts of common assault, one count of criminal damage and one count of wounding or grievous bodily harm.

Concern was expressed by Campaign against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies following the CPS’ decision. In light of their reversal, CST “welcomed” the move to reinstate the aggravated element.

The Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has also responded to the news: “We look forward to meeting senior CPS representatives in the near future to discuss how to further address longstanding concerns about failures to properly charge those accused of antisemitic behaviour.”