Omar Mohamad, 62, left Sergeant Guy Rooney with a severely bruised face (Picture: Brais G Rouco/ Central News)

A Muslim activist who hit a police officer with his walking stick at a Tommy Robinson rally in Hyde Park has escaped with a suspended sentence.

Omar Mohamad, 62, scuffled with Sergeant Guy Rooney and left him with a severely bruised face at a counter protest in Hyde Park in March 2018.

The officer suffered from post traumatic stress and his injury was so bad his children refused to walk to school with him.

Passing a 26-week suspended sentence, District Judge Richard Blake said the rally was held ‘to express views that were adverse to the Muslim community in the United Kingdom.’




‘We live in a democracy – people should feel free, within limits, to express their opinions,’ the judge said.

Sergeant Guy Rooney suffered from post traumatic stress and his injury was so bad his children refused to walk to school with him (Picture: Brais G. Rouco/ Central News)

‘You were with a group of other men. It is fair to say that immediately in front of you there was a fracas.

‘You joined into the melee that happened and you joined in with your stick.

‘While you do need that stick to walk with, you very much used it by wielding it around as a weapon. You brought the stick round and struck the officer in the face.

‘There is no doubt that this was a very significant injury that you caused with your stick.’

Before his sentencing, Mohamad had written an apology letter to Mr Rooney which the judge took into consideration.

Tommy Robinson seen at the rally in March 2018 in Hyde Park where the incident occurred (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

‘You’re a man of sixty-two and of good character,’ the judge said. ‘You have got to sixty-two without committing an offence.’

But the judge said Mohamad should have pleaded guilty to spare the officer the ordeal of reliving the incident.

‘Given your poor health and your previous good character it will be a suspended sentence,’ the judge added.

Defending, Sarah Robinson, told the court how Mohamad suffers from multiple illnesses that require a walking stick, and explained he is currently living in sheltered accommodation.

The 62-year-old had no previous criminal record (Picture: Steve Parkins/REX/Shutterstock)

‘He does deeply regret the injury and suffering he inflicted on the officer. He has consistently shown genuine remorse towards the police officer,’ Ms Robinson said.

‘He does express regret and having put himself in such a volatile situation he never wants to put himself into that kind of situation again.’

Mohamad denied causing actual bodily harm but was convicted by the jury.

He was also ordered to pay £250 for court costs.

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