Further attacks are feared

IMAM Abdul Awal of the Folkestone Mosque said they were afraid of further attacks after stones were thrown at the building last week.

Mr Awal said two masked youths threw two stones at the Foord Road South mosque while 25 worshippers were inside at 9.10pm last Thursday but no damage was done.

Moments later four young girls walked past making racist comments.

“We are scared that more might happen,” said Mr Awal. “We do have CCTV of the incident and the police have come and are now looking at it . We are extremely sorry about the killing in Woolwich. It has no place in Islam.”

Just hours after the slaying in Woolwich, the mosque at Canterbury Street, Gillingham was burgled and vandalised.

Andrew John Grindlay, 45, from Rochester, appeared before Medway magstrates charged with religiously aggravated criminal damage and burglary last Friday.

He denied both charges and was released on bail to appear back before magistrates on July 22, when his case will be send to Crown court.

Meanwhile a 27-year-old man was arrested for an assault in Gillingham High Street and an 85-year-old woman was arrested for hurling abuse at worshippers leaving the Gillingham mosque.

She was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.