On Monday 14th December, a 30-year-old man who had converted to Islam and worshipped at the mosque admitted attacking Raafat Maglad.
Daniel Horton was jailed for a minimum of seven years and will serve another four years on extended licence after he is released. Horton had previously pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article after attacking 70-year-old muezzin, who makes the call to prayer at London Central Mosque, on the edge of Regent’s Park, in February. Mr Maglad was treated in hospital for his injuries and returned to service less than 24 hours after the attack. Mr Maglad suffered nerve damage, has trouble sleeping and his voice has been "adversely affected”.
The court was also told the victim and defendant were known to one other because Horton, who was homeless at the time, had been attending the mosque for a number of years.
