Drunker teenager who attacked Tower Hamlets clergyman is given community service

24 June 2008

A DRUNKEN teenager who took part in a vicious gang attack on an Anglican clergyman has walked free from court.

Babul Islam, 19, was one of three Asian youths who assaulted Canon Michael Ainsworth in his churchyard at St George-in-the-East Church in Shadwell.

Father-of-four Mr Ainsworth, 57, spent 12 days in hospital after he was kicked and punched in the head in what was described at the time as a "faith-hate" attack on March 5 this year.

It was claimed one of the yobs shouted "f***ing priest" during the attack which only stopped when another group of youths intervened and helped him home.

When Mr Ainsworth returned to his congregation his face was still swollen from the deep cuts he sustained and he had two black eyes.

But Islam denied the attack was religiously motivated and prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to simple assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Carl May-Smith, prosecuting, described it as "an unprovoked attack on somebody serving the public at his place of work."

Mr May-Smith added: "It has clearly had a profound effect on the victim."

But Judge Glenn Brasse accepted Islam, a shop assistant, was "extremely drunk" at the time of the attack which was a one-off.

The judge said the teenager had only thrown punches and not kicked the priest.

Judge Brasse added that Islam deserved a custodial sentence but "under the circumstances" he was prepared to suspend a four month term for 18 months.

The judge also ordered him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and to pay Mr Ainsworth £1,000 in compensation.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard no other suspects have been brought to justice.

The 18th Century St George-in-the-East Church, designed by notable architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, has regularly had its windows smashed by gangs of youths congregating in the grounds.

In the days after the attack the Rev Alan Green, Area Dean of Tower Hamlets, revealed there were incidents of "faith hate" every month in the borough, across all religions.

Islam, of Barnardo Street, Limehouse, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied one count of religiously aggravated actual bodily harm.