Man charged with series of racially aggravated criminal damage incidents

Detectives investigating a linked series of anti-Muslim incidents at the Palestinian Mission in Hammersmith, as well as mosques and businesses across west London, have charged a man.

Jonathan Katan, 61 (20.06.62) of Ealing has been charged with 11 counts of racially aggravated criminal damage. He has also been charged with one count of a racially aggravated section 5 Public Order Act offence and one count of racially aggravated section 4a Public Order Act offence.

He is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Friday, 17 May.

Katan was arrested on 27 November last year after red paint was thrown or sprayed at locations in the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, and Ealing on 11 separate occasions between 16 October and 18 November.

Detective Superintendent Figo Forouzan, who leads the investigation, said: “These charges have come as a result of diligent police work by officers who have gathered evidence while providing support and reassurance to those affected."

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, in charge of policing in West Area which covers Hammersmith, said: “Officers have worked incredibly hard with the Crown Prosecution Service and communities in both boroughs of Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham to get an arrest and a charge in this case.

"This demonstrates how seriously we take allegations of hate crime against any of our communities.

“While criminal proceedings are now active, I ask the community to refrain from speculating on this case, particularly on social media, to avoid any risk of prejudice.”