Teenage Girls Sentenced for Antisemitic Attacks in London

 

Two teenage girls have been sentenced for carrying out a series of antisemitic attacks in London, including one that left a woman unconscious.

The 14- and 15-year-olds, whose identities are protected due to their age, targeted members of the Jewish community in Stamford Hill during four separate incidents over the course of 30 minutes in December 2023, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

At Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, both teens were handed an 18-month youth rehabilitation order. They were also required to complete a rehabilitation activity of 30 and 45 hours, respectively, and were placed under a three-month curfew with electronic monitoring.

The CPS successfully argued for harsher sentencing, citing that the majority of the attacks were “motivated by hate.”

• First Incident: The teens approached a woman on St Ann’s Road, demanding money. When one of them attempted to strike the victim, she managed to escape unharmed.
• Second Incident: Ten minutes later, they targeted a 12-year-old girl near Holmdale Terrace, demanding money. Upon realizing the girl had no money, they let her go.
• Third Incident: The pair confronted a group of four 11-year-old girls, using antisemitic language and asking for money. After the group fled, one of the teens followed a girl, grabbed her arm, and stole her lunch bag.
• Final Incident: Thirty minutes after the first attack, the teens assaulted a woman on Rostrevor Avenue. They demanded money, and when the victim attempted to walk away, she was struck in the back. The attackers stole her phone, slapped her, pulled off her wig, threw her to the ground, and kicked her, leaving her briefly unconscious and with significant bruising.

Both teenagers were found guilty of attempted robbery, religiously aggravated harassment, and actual bodily harm. One of them was also convicted of attempted theft.

Jagjeet Saund, representing the CPS, condemned the attacks as hate crimes, saying, “The evidence in this case proved that the two teenagers targeted most of the victims because they were Jewish.”

Witness testimony revealed that the teens used antisemitic slurs and mocked their victims, making it clear that the attacks were driven by prejudice. A community impact statement from a Jewish leader was presented during sentencing to illustrate the broader trauma and fear such acts of hatred cause within the community.

“There is no place for such intolerance and hatred,” Saund added. “The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure those spreading hate are held accountable.”

The sentencing has been viewed as a step toward justice, but community leaders have stressed the need for ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety of all residents. The attacks have left a lasting impact, with many in Stamford Hill expressing heightened concern for their safety.

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling hate crimes and supporting affected communities.