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Two Polish men caused uproar a mosque when they pelted worshippers with bacon just before evening prayers, a court heard.

Piotr Czak-Zukowski, 28, and Mateusz Pawlikowski, 21, also threw rashers at the shoe rack of the Al-Rahman Mosque in Camden, and a piece landed inside a shoe.

The pair were remanded in custody until their sentencing over fears for their safety if they were bailed, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.

Zahid Hussain, prosecuting, said: "This is an unusual and unique case . Both these defendants originally come from Poland.

"In a civilised Western democratic nation, one is entitled to express their opinion and also to benefit from freedom of speech.

(Image: Central News)

"But there are boundaries which we need to all comply with and live inside those.

"Sadly, these two men in this case have breached these boundaries. This is hate crime at the very top level. It is Islamophobia.

"These two were completely and utterly drunk. They entered a mosque, which they are prohibited from doing while drunk.

"Not only have they entered, they then insulted worshippers just before evening prayers.

"They have with them rashers of bacon which they throw on the floor in a holy place of worship.

(Image: Central News)

"They also throw this bacon at a worshipper, a Mr Sharif, who was there to pray.

"They have also thrown the bacon at the shoe rack and a piece of bacon has gone in the complainant’s shoe.

"The CPS take these offences in particular very seriously and so does the community at large.’

Addressing an application for bail, Mr Hussain said: "The most pertinent submission is the one from the police that they have serious concerns for their personal safety.

"The two defendants have committed acts which were grossly offensive and deeply hateful to a large section of the community.

(Image: Central News)

"Outrage will clearly be felt by many people present at that time and place.

"It is a genuine concern that, were they to be released, they would become the subject attacks or reprisals.

"For their own safety and protection, I invite this court to commit both of them to the Crown Court for sentence."

Czak-Zukowski, Golders Green, and Pawlikowski, of Muswell Hill, both admitted religiously aggravated criminal damage and religiously aggravated harassment.

They were both remanded in custody ahead of sentence at Blackfriars Crown Court on 1 November.