Man jailed after leaving pig's head at Cheltenham Mosque
A man has been jailed after a pig’s head was left at the Mosque in Cheltenham.
On November 13, 2010 a pig’s head was left tied to the gates of the Mosque in Cheltenham along with racist graffiti.
Simon Parkes, 45, of Crown Close, Bishop’s Cleeve, was charged with racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage and a public order offence on July 14, 2012.
On August 9 he pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates and today he has been sentenced to four months at Gloucester Crown Court.
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A spokesman from Cheltenham Mosque said: “This was a very shocking incident for the whole community Muslim and Non-Muslim alike. "We would like to re-iterate our thanks to the police, the council and the local neighbours for their tremendous support.
"The damage was dealt with very quickly in order for normality to be achieved and we have left the rest to the authorities and the justice system to deal with."
Cheltenham South Policing Inspector Tim Waterhouse said: “I hope this sentence sends out a clear message that this sort of appalling criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Although this disturbing incident happened nearly two years ago a painstaking and difficult enquiry has led to today’s sentencing.
"The message is clear that we will not stop in our determination to target criminals and keep people and our communities safe from harm.”
Comments
by Scooter
Friday, March 01 2013, 3:12PM
“We shall see if the British hating extremist that burnt the poppy goes to jail then..... but I think we all know the answer to that one! One rule for those that happily live here and yet hate the country and the English/British people. The only reason most are here is for the silent plan that is in action to islamify the country.. it is already happening with every mosque that the planners allow and now even the street names in Gloucester are being given Asian names. This is England in case we had all forgotten, people from all over the world are welcome here but live by our rules and don't try to change them to the rules you have in your own countries; if you want to live under such backward and discriminatory laws then go back to whence you came!”
by Divideconquer
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:17PM
“I utterly condem burning poppies and leaving a pig's head at a mosque as both acts will cause harm, distress and division in the area where I live. It's the purpose of life to be happy, to make our society better and our communities stronger? I want Cheltenham to be a better place to live, not a worse one.”
by Haw_Haw
Sunday, September 02 2012, 7:02PM
“His Lordship was wondering what you had to do to get sent to prison these days. Apparently proper crimes like burglary and street violence aren't enough, but upsetting some folks' feelings is.
Poor show, what !”
by LewBrush
Sunday, September 02 2012, 12:17PM
“Where was Judge Jamie when we needed him?”
by Asodeska
Saturday, September 01 2012, 11:34PM
“It is ridiculous from him to be sent to gaol.
He was, after all, just expressing his freedom of speech.
But I guess that is not important in today's Britain”
by Frontpinfred
Saturday, September 01 2012, 9:02PM
“what ever you say the sentence was far too long. these extremists who burnt poppies have decicrated an emblem we all love and cherish, a symbol of the losses we incurred to give countries that they were born in freedom.
Stupid he was but for goodness sake jail is not what he deserved.”
by AlternativeTV
Saturday, September 01 2012, 3:32PM
“@STYLOJAY
Maybe humans would be the most advanced on Earth but only if we stop defending superstitious belief systems. Advanced thinking isn't cultivated through 'faith'.”
by AlternativeTV
Saturday, September 01 2012, 3:17PM
“Islam is not a race... it is a belief system. A person from any nation can become a Muslim.”
by AlternativeTV
Saturday, September 01 2012, 3:14PM
“Islam is not a race.. it is a superstitious belief system. A person from any nation can become a Muslim. Superstition is not from rational thought.”
by Ysedra
Saturday, September 01 2012, 10:36AM
“Which race was the graffiti aimed at?”