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Mosque leaders have met with the man who was convicted for a hate crime when he put bacon on the windscreens of worshipers in Cambridge.

Giulio Vines, of Milton Road, was riding around on a motorcycle outside with friends near Omar Faruque Mosque in Kirkwood Road in June when someone came out to speak to them.

At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday (July 11) Vines admitted a charge of racially/religiously aggravated criminal damage. A further charge of criminal damage was dropped.

Now it has been revealed that leaders of Omar Faruque Mosque Alamin Ahmed-Neela Ahmed and Omar Beg, met with Vines and his father Andy.

A statement said: “Giulio showed remorse for his actions and apologised. His father also apologised on behalf of his son. Myself and Omar Beg accepted the apology on behalf of those affected by the incident and Omar Faruque Mosque.

“We give credit to Andy and Giulio for showing great character in reaching out to us, meeting us at the Cambridge Masjid and apologising.

“It is a lesson that we are sure Giulio has learnt from and we put it down to a moment of stupidity and nothing more than that."

The statement went on to say: "an apology was received and we accepted it and forgive Giulio for his actions."

The meeting was held before Vines received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 in costs, £25 compensation to each victim and a victim surcharge of £20.