Engineering graduate jailed for mosque punch

In a troubling incident during recent anti-immigration riots, 24-year-old engineering graduate Noman Ahmed has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after being caught on camera throwing punches at a man. Ahmed was part of a group of Muslims who gathered to protect a mosque in Middlesbrough amid escalating violence. The situation intensified when two white men approached the mosque, making racist threats, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Ahmed's violent actions. The court heard from prosecutor Rachel Masters that Ahmed's behavior was captured on video, showcasing his involvement in the altercation. Defense attorney Gary Wood highlighted the significant personal consequences of the incident, noting that Ahmed lost his job as an EE salesman and was set to marry just eight days later. The wedding, which had been meticulously planned and financially supported by both families, is now in jeopardy, leaving Ahmed's fiancée and her family deeply disappointed. Despite Ahmed's previously unblemished record and character references describing him as a "polite, intelligent man," Judge Francis Laird, KC, imposed the prison sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. The case reflects broader societal tensions and the repercussions of violence during protests. In related news, two other individuals received prison sentences for their roles in separate incidents during the riots. Russ Cooke, a 66-year-old jeweler, was sentenced to eight months for threatening police during a demonstration, while 20-year-old Tom Neblett received a 30-month sentence for attacking officers with missiles in Southport.