A GANG of Muslim men rampaged through a city centre targeting white non-Muslims, a court heard.
One witness feared the three men were Islamic State terrorists seeking victims on the streets of Liverpool.
Amin Mohmed, 24, and Mohammed Patel, 20, set upon Gary Bohanna when he revealed he was Christian.
Faruq Patel, 19, then filmed Mohmed punching Labour councillor Paul Lynch to the ground as his terrified girlfriend tried to protect him.
Counter-terrorism officers raided the three men’s homes in Bolton, Greater Manchester, after the incident in March last year Recorder Louise Brandon, told the trio at Liverpool Crown Court: “This was a disgraceful and sustained campaign of violence.”
Prosecutor Paul Treble said Edris Nosrati, a Muslim, spotted two of the gang attacking a man at around 3.30am.
He said: “He was concerned because one of them seemed to be using racist language, talking about Muslims and Christians.
“One of them came up to Mr Nosrati and said are you a Muslim? Mr Nosrati said he was but the man said, well, what’s the Muslim word?”
He replied with a “wellknown” Arabic phrase.
Gang members Mohammed Patel, Amin Mohmed and Faruq Patel went on a rampage ‘attacking non-muslims’
“Mr Nosrati was concerned as to their exact intent and that they might be associated in some way to an extremist organisation.”
Mr Nosrati was told: “You can go”, but when he tried to stop them punching another man, one rebuked him: “It’s none of your business.”
He followed the gang who then confronted Mr Bohanna and asked: “What are you?”
Amin Mohmed attacked ‘men who were Christians’
The victim was confused, the court heard, but when one of them said, “I’m a Muslim, what are you?” he answered: “I’m a Christian.”
The attacker shouted “Why aren’t you a Muslim?” before punching him twice, breaking his glasses and causing a one inch cut above an eye.
The gang then encountered Mr Lynch and his girlfriend Jill Newton.
Faruq Patel filmed Mohmed punching Labour councillor Paul Lynch to the ground
Mohammed Patel ‘confessed to targeting people because they were white and non-Muslim’
Footage taken by Faruq Patel captured Mohmed punching Mr Lynch with a “sickening blow”.
Liverpool John Moores University student Faruq Patel could be heard laughing as the victim fell.
Mohmed later claimed to police he could not remember anything because he was so drunk.
The court was told that Mohammed Patel confessed to “targeting people because they were white and nonMuslim”.
Sarah Johnston, defending Mohmed, said it appeared the group were racially abused but that was not an excuse. Mohmed and Mohammed Patel, both of Bolton, admitted racially or religiously aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm.
Accountancy student Faruq Patel, also of Bolton, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.
Mohmed cried as he was jailed for 42 weeks. Mohammed Patel and Faruq Patel received 42 and 18 weeks respectively in a young offenders institution.
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