A woman has been convicted after directing antisemitic abuse at children outside a Jewish secondary school in north London before assaulting a man who challenged her.
Syeda Khatun, 39, was found guilty following a trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court of three counts of racially aggravated assault, one count of racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one count of racially aggravated words and behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress.
The court heard how Khatun, from Hackney, approached several children who were waiting outside their school gate after a school trip on May 10.
She first shouted antisemitic abuse at a mother and baby before turning her attention to a group of children, shouting abuse and swinging her arms aggressively towards them, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
When the father of one of the pupils asked her why she was targeting children, Khatun struck him in the face and pulled his beard whilst shouting further antisemitic slurs.
The CPS said charges were authorised within 24 hours after reviewing evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police, including eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage. Khatun appeared before the courts two days after the incident.
She is due to be sentenced at Thames Magistrates’ Court on July 24.
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in the area, described the attack as a “despicable assault on young members of our Jewish community in Stamford Hill”.
She said officers arrived within minutes of the incident being reported, and detectives worked closely with prosecutors to bring charges swiftly.
Ragvesh Singh, Senior Crown Prosector for CPS North London, said the incident was a “shocking attack”.
“Violence motivated by antisemitic hatred is abhorrent and nobody should have to fear going about their daily life because of their race, religion or identity.
“I hope this outcome reassures the public, particularly the Jewish community, that hate crimes will be prosecuted robustly and offenders will be brought to justice.”
According to Metropolitan Police figures, 140 antisemitic hate crimes were recorded in April, up from 98 in March and 67 in February.
The force announced a dedicated 100-officer community protection team focused on tackling anti-Jewish hate crime and protecting Jewish communities across the capital.
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