A woman has been convicted of a racially aggravated assault after directing antisemitic abuse at children outside a Jewish secondary school in north London before attacking the father of one of the pupils.
Syeda Khatun, 39, was found guilty following a trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court in connection with the incident, which took place on 10 May outside a Jewish school in Stamford Hill. She is due to be sentenced on 24 July at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), a group of children were waiting outside the school following a school trip when Khatun began shouting antisemitic abuse at a mother and her baby before turning her attention to the children and behaving aggressively.
When the father of one of the pupils asked why she was targeting children, Khatun struck him in the face, pulled his beard and continued shouting antisemitic slurs.
The CPS authorised charges within 24 hours of receiving evidence from the Metropolitan Police. The prosecution relied on eyewitness testimony and CCTV footage.
Ragvesh Singh, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, described the incident as a “shocking attack”, stating that Khatun had targeted members of the public, including children, with antisemitic abuse before assaulting a man who challenged her behaviour.
He added that violence motivated by antisemitic hatred is “abhorrent” and expressed hope that the conviction would reassure the Jewish community that hate crimes are investigated thoroughly and prosecuted robustly.
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke of the Metropolitan Police described the incident as a “despicable assault on young members of our Jewish community in Stamford Hill”. She said officers responded within minutes of the incident being reported and worked closely with the CPS to bring charges promptly.
Clarke also noted that the Metropolitan Police continues to maintain an enhanced policing plan focused on protecting vulnerable communities, preventing hate crime and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
