A Britain First supporter who gave a Nazi salute, shouted “white power” and drove a van at a Muslim restaurant owner will walk free after serving his prison sentence while on remand.
Van driver Marek Zakrocki, 48, told a police officer that he was going to “kill a Muslim” before launching his attack outside Spicy Night in Harrow, north-west London, on the anniversary of the Brexit vote.
Zakrocki, who was originally charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and battering his wife.
Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: “You committed these offences at a time of heightened tension because of the attack on a Muslim outside a Mosque in London.”
The judge said there was evidence of “abhorrent” racist views but his crime was due to the effect of alcohol.
He sentenced him to 33 weeks in jail and disqualified him from driving for three years.
Describing the incident, prosecutor Denis Barry said: “During the course of that evening he assaulted his wife, drove off in his work vehicle, insulted a series of passers-by and then drove his vehicle at the owner of a curry house, breaking the window of the restaurant.”
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During a rampage around Harrow, he made a Nazi salute, pushed an unknown Asian man and chased him around a shopping centre and then shouted “white power, white power”.
The Polish-born window fitter ended up outside the Spicy Night restaurant, blocking the road with his van.
Following an altercation in the street, he started the engine and aimed the vehicle at restaurant owner Kamal Ahmed.
The court heard he used the van as a weapon against Mr Ahmed and twice mounted the pavement.
He was driving at 5mph and was effectively trying to pin Mr Ahmed against the restaurant window, which smashed.
The defendant’s wife submitted a letter asking for a ban on the press reporting the case, but the judge declined the request.
