Stamford Hill: Antisemitic attacks on Hackney Jewish community - man sentenced for day of violence

A man has been sentenced for carrying out a series of attacks on members of the Jewish community in Stamford Hill, Hackney.

Abdullah Qureshi, 30, of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was handed a hospital order on Thursday after being convicted of the attacks last November. He will be detained in a secure medical facility “until he is considered safe to be released”.

Detectives launched an investigation after three people were assaulted in a two-hour period in Stamford Hill on the evening of August 18, 2021.

At 6.41pm, a 30-year-old man was struck on the head with a bottle on Cazenove Road. He did not sustain any injuries.

Around half an hour later a 14-year-old boy was walking in Holmdale Terrace when he was approached and assaulted without warning. He sustained minor injuries.

At 8.30pm, a 64-year-old man was struck in the face at the junction of Colberg Road. He suffered facial injuries and fell to the ground, breaking a bone in his foot.

Qureshi was found guilty of one count of racially or religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm and two counts of racially or religiously aggravated common assault at Wood Green Court on Thursday.

Det Ch Insp Yasmin Lalani said: "The Met will not tolerate any form of discrimination or abuse. London is an incredible and diverse city and it is completely unacceptable for certain sections of our communities to be subjected to deplorable abuse and harassment.

“Abdullah Qureshi’s action caused severe distress to the victims, their families and the wider Jewish community. I can only hope the victims in this case find some comfort in the fact that Qureshi has been sentenced after the ordeals they suffered."

He added: “I would like to thank Shomrim, the Community Security Trust, Hackney Independent Advisory Group and Varinder Hayre of the Crown Prosecution Service for their support throughout our investigation. Together we have achieved justice for the victims.

“Our message is clear – we will not tolerate hate crime. Do not come to Stamford Hill to commit offences against our community – we will hold you to account.”

Hate abuse can be reported to the police online, or call 101 or tweet @MetCC. If there is an immediate risk or an emergency situation, call 999.