Man jailed for attacking mosque worshipper

Callum Mcinally was jailed for attacking a worshipper and making threats with a knife

A man has been jailed for attacking a worshipper who was praying outside a mosque.

The victim was punched outside Portsmouth Jami Mosque at about 21:30 BST on 31 August, according to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Callum Mcinally, 29, of Waverley Road in Southsea, Portsmouth, was sentenced to 20 months in jail for racially or religiously aggravated assault and harassment, as well as threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

Harvey Withecombe, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said it would "continue to act swiftly and robustly regarding these cases".

Worshippers were abused outside Portsmouth Jami Mosque

Mcinally pleaded guilty to all of the charges at his first hearing on 2 September.

Police said the small group of men, women and children suffered verbal abuse before the attacks.

"A man from the group asked the man to leave them alone, but was then reportedly punched in the chest," police said in a statement.

The suspect made threats with a knife before discarding the weapon, detectives added.

No-one was seriously injured and a knife was seized by police.