Britain First supporter facing jail after giving Nazi salute before trying to run over curry house owner

Facing jail: Marek Zakrocki
Met Police
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A Britain First supporter who gave a Nazi salute before he tried to run over an Asian restaurant owner on the first anniversary of the Brexit vote is facing jail today.

Marek Zakrocki, 48, had a Nazi coin in his pocket and was armed with a knife as he mounted the curb and drove at Kamal Ahmed, hitting the window of his South Harrow restaurant.

The attack, labelled a “hate crime” by the Met, was carried out on June 23, a year to the day since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

The Old Bailey heard Polish-born Zakrocki had performed a Nazi salute while abusing members of the public in Harrow town centre just before the attack on Mr Ahmed.

After his arrest, Zakrocki signed his name "white power" and had earlier told people "I'm doing this for Britain", prosecutor Denis Barry told the Old Bailey.

Police discovered two magazines from extremist group Britain First, as well as flyers and a donation form to the far right organisation.

"During his interview, he said he had in the past made a donation to Britain First", said the prosecutor.

The court heard Zakrocki had drunk a bottle of wine earlier in the day before attacking his own wife, sparking a visit from the police.

He then told an officer: "I'm going to kill a Muslim, I'm doing this for Britain. This is the way I will help the country, you people can't do anything."

Zakrocki had also told his daughter "I'm going to kill people and kill myself, I love you and you will never see me again."

He left his home in South Harrow in his white van, driving "erratically" towards Harrow town centre where he started abusing strangers.

"Shortly after getting out of the vehicle, he appears to make a Nazi salute, he pushes an unknown Asian individual and chases him round the shopping centre", said Mr Barry.

He said Zakrocki then drove towards the Spicy Nights restaurant in Alexandra Parade, close to his home, where he got into a row with Mr Ahmed's brother.

Zakrocki had wielded a torch in the argument and when Mr Ahmed tried to intervene, he angrily got into his van, mounted the curb and twice drove into the front window of the restaurant.

"He was not aiming at the restaurant, he was aiming at Mr Ahmed", said the prosecutor, adding that Zakrocki was later found with a Nazi Germany coin in his pocket.

The court heard police performed a "hard stop" on Zakrocki after the incident, as tensions ran high in the wake of attacks in London Bridge, Westminster, and Finsbury Park.

The incident happened on the Brexit anniversary and just over a year since Britain First supporter Thomas Mair killed MP Jo Cox in her constituency of Batley and Spen.

Jonathan Lennon, mitigating, said Zakrocki appeared to have mental health problems and was "utterly and truly ashamed" of his actions.

He argued Zakrocki drove into the restaurant, having vowed "look what I'm going to do", and was not aiming for Mr Ahmed.

"What is clear is he was carrying out his threat", he said.

Zakrocki was due to face trial today but pleaded guilty this morning to battery of his wife and dangerous driving.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC has adjourned the sentencing until this afternoon for Zakrocki to be assessed by a psychiatrist.

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