Leicester man Liam Ferrar admits Muslim pig head attack

A man who left a frozen pig's head outside a community centre used by a Muslim group has pleaded guilty to a religiously-motivated attack.

Liam Ferrar, 24, from Leicester, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress at the city's magistrates' court.

The court heard Ferrar left the head outside a community centre on Thurncourt Road used by the As-Salaam Trust on Boxing Day.

His sentencing is due on 18 February.

Ferrar was arrested on 28 December and charged after admitting to police that he left the animal's head on the step.

'Extremely distressing'

The building has been the focus of demonstrations since Islamic charity the As-Salaam Trust said it hoped to use a nearby former scout hut as a community centre.

The court heard a group called the Forgotten Estates, of which Ferrar was a member, had held such protests.

Ferrar told police he had been drunk and it had been a spur of the moment decision to leave the head after attending a party with friends, the court heard.

It had come from a friend's wedding in the summer, the court was told.

Members of the Muslim group said they found the animal's head when they arrived at the centre at around 7:30 GMT.

Prosecutor Louise Cox said the members told police they had been "sickened and disgusted" by the incident and found it "extremely distressing".

Ferrar knew the impact leaving the head on the step would have on the centre's users, Ms Cox added.

Mr Steve Morris, representing Ferrar, said his client was not a prominent member of the Forgotten Estates and he regularly acted as police liaison for the group and had no previous convictions.

District Judge John Temperley released Ferrar on conditional bail ahead of his sentencing next month.