20 YEARS FOR 7/7 HIT-RUN REVENGE ATTACK
A HIT-AND-RUN driver has been jailed for life after deliberately mowing down a Muslim woman as “revenge” for the London 7/7 bombings and the Parsons Green Tube station attack.
Paul Moore attempted to kill Zaynab Hussein with his Volkswagen Up on September 20 last year in Leicester and also narrowly missed a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
Ms Hussein, 47, was struck once and then driven over again moments later as 21-year-old Moore, who had told a relative he intended to target Muslims, was seen laughing.
He then tried to cause the 12-year-old serious harm moments later by driving at her because he wanted to “do the country a favour”.
Moore, of Western Park, Leicester, was convicted by a jury on March 2 of attempted murder, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.
Assault
In front of a packed public gallery at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, Moore looked up at the ceiling as the sentence was passed.
The defendant was supported by four family members – two of whom left the court as he was handed a 20-year minimum jail term and a lifelong disqualification from driving.
Mr Justice Soole told Moore: “The courage of your victims and the compassion and courage of all those who came to the aid of Mrs Hussein in different ways – and who notably come from across the diverse range of this local community – stand in stark contrast to your wickedness that morning.
“All pedestrians were at risk from you that morning. However, the fact remains that you ultimately launched your assault on those who were in Islamic clothing.
“Your intention to kill Mrs Hussein was underlined by your wicked decision to return for a second assault with the car.
“It was only luck and her quick thinking that saved your second intended victim from injury.”