Britain First supporter gave Nazi salute and shouted ‘white power’ in Islamophobic attack
Court hears how Marek Zakrocki threatened to 'kill a Muslim' before trying to drive his vehicle at the owner of a curry house
A Britain First supporter gave a Nazi salute and shouted “white power” before driving at a curry house owner, a court has heard.
Marek Zakrocki, 48, threatened to “kill a Muslim” then launched his attack outside Spicy Night in Alexandra Parade 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.
Prosecutor Denis Barry said: “Mr Zakrocki had plainly, during the course of that afternoon, had far too much to drink.
“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.
“It’s plain that his conduct is very likely to have been motivated by his views about our diverse society.”
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Earlier on June 23, he had got drunk on wine, grabbed his wife Ewa Zakrocka’s arm and threatened to “kill people” and himself.
During a rampage around Harrow, Zakrocki made a Nazi salute, pushed an unknown Asian man and shouted “white power, white power”.
He was also heard to say: “I’m going to kill a Muslim. I’m doing it for Britain.
“This is how I’m going to help the country. You people cannot do anything.”
The Polish-born window fitter ended up outside Spicy Night restaurant, blocking the road with his white van.
Photo credit: Metropolitan Police/PA
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.
Because of the increased state of alert at the time, armed officers arrested Zakrocki in a “hard stop”.
Police found a Nazi coin in Zakrocki’s pocket and a stash of Britain First flyers and newspapers at his home in Harrow.
In interview, Zakrocki appeared to be “fixated” by Muslims and said he had made donations to Britain First in the past.
Mr Barry said the defendant appeared to have a history of depressive illness and alcohol problems.
He told the court that Britain First, formed by members of the BNP, was anti-Muslim and held views that were regarded by most people as “very extreme indeed”.
Charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and having a knife in Northolt Road, Harrow, were ordered to lie on file.
Judge Anthony Leonard QC remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced on January 12.
He ordered a report but warned he was considering a jail sentence.
DC Georgina Acuna, the investigating officer from Harrow Community Safety Unit, said:
“Zakrocki deliberately armed himself with a knife on Friday, 23 June and told both his family and officers that he intended to harm someone for their religious beliefs.
“This was a terrifying ordeal for the witnesses and victims. Zakrocki was almost three times over the drink-driving limit and it was through pure good-fortune that no one was injured during his rampage.
“Hate crime, in all its forms, will not be tolerated and offenders such as Zakrocki will be brought to justice.”
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