On August 11, 2023, Marcus Edwards, 44, recorded a disturbing incident in Gillingham where he defaced a mosque by smearing bacon on its door. He subsequently posted online, expressing confidence that he would evade legal consequences, suggesting that the justice system would not respond to his actions.

During his initial appearance at the Magistrates' court, the presiding judge highlighted that Edwards' actions were comparable to ongoing civil unrest and emphasized the distress such behavior could cause within the Muslim community. Edwards further exacerbated the situation by threatening to vandalize a mosque daily and claimed his case would not reach the Crown Court.

Ultimately, Edwards was sentenced to six months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court. This decision followed an application by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for an increased sentence due to the hate crime aspect of his actions. Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami condemned the act as a serious offense that deeply affected the local Muslim community, particularly amid heightened vulnerability due to recent islamophobic and racist riots.

Venkatasami stated that Edwards’ belief he could avoid punishment was misguided, as law enforcement swiftly identified and prosecuted him. The significant prison sentence illustrates a zero-tolerance approach towards hate crimes, reinforcing that individuals attempting to promote hate and intolerance will face severe repercussions.