By Agencies

Two racists who were part of the English Defence League (EDL) are beginning year-long sentences after attacking a mosque and two Asian-run businesses. Steven James Vasey and Anthony Donald Smith attacked the Nasir mosque in Hartlepool, spraying the letters EDL and NEI (North East Infidels) along with the slogan "no surrender" and images of poppies and the St George flag on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid.

Originally published by OBV

They also sprayed similar graffiti on a shop, which had a brick thrown through a window, and a guest house, which are both owned by an Asian businessman.

Taxi driver Smith, 24, of Rydale Court, Trimdon, previously of Neptune Way, Easington Colliery, was arrested the next day.

Messages on his mobile showed planning with then-girlfriend Charlotte Christina Davies and Vasey and included claims they were going “Muzzy bashing” and were going to give the mosque a “makeover”.

Smith, Vasey, 32, formerly of Pittington and now of Eden Crescent, Darlington, and Davies, 19, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, all admitted conspiracy to commit racially aggravated criminal damage at Durham Crown Court.

Davies was given a 12-week sentence, suspended for a year, and 200 hours’ unpaid work.

The barristers said all three had severed their ties with the EDL.

Jailing the men, Judge Lowe remarked that the attacks were carried out in response to the events in Luton on Armistice Day last November, where poppies were burnt by extreme Islamic groups.

He said, “It may be that was something these three had in mind, but it does not excuse this conduct. It’s the sort of behaviour from which those who are militant feed.”

After the hearing, Inspector Dave Coxon, of Peterlee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “I’m pleased that this has gone to court and they pleaded guilty and the sentence reflects the serious nature of the offence. We continue to take these sorts of offences seriously and we will strive to support all members of the community.”

The sentencing of Vasey and Smith comes just a few weeks after four EDL supporters were jailed for their attack on a mosque in Redbridge, further evidence of the "sickness" which exists in the far right group.