Britain First supporter gives Nazi salute before driving at Muslim restaurant owner

Zakrocki had threatened to "kill a Muslim" before his attack

A Polish-born Britain First supporter gave a Nazi salute and yelled "white power" before driving at a curry house owner in drunken rage, a UK court has heard.

Marek Zakrocki, 48, during his drunken rampage threatened to "kill a Muslim" before his attack outside Spicy Night in Alexandra Parade in Harrow, north-west London, on the first anniversary of the Brexit vote.

Window fitter Zakrocki, was formerly charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and beating his wife.

Prosecutor Denis Barry reported at the Old Bailey: "Mr Zakrocki had plainly, during the course of that afternoon, had far too much to drink.

"He assaulted his wife, drove off in his work vehicle, insulted a series of passers-by and then drove his vehicle at the owner of a curry house, breaking the window of the restaurant."

He further added,"It's plain that his conduct is very likely to have been motivated by his views about our diverse society."



Earlier on June 23, Zakrocki was intoxicated before he grabbed his wife Ewa Zakrocka's arm and threatened to "kill people" and himself.

During a racist rampage near Harrow, Zakrocki gave a Nazi salute, pushed an unknown Asian man and shouted "white power, white power".

He was also heard saying: "I'm going to kill a Muslim. I'm doing it for Britain. This is how I'm going to help the country. You people cannot do anything."

Following an argument in the street, he started his van and aimed it at the restaurant owner Kamal Ahmed. The court heard he used the van as a weapon against Mr Ahmed and drove twice at him, who was then forced to jump out of the way .

He effectively tried pinning Mr Ahmed against the restaurant window, which broke. Armed officers arrested Zakrocki in a "hard stop" and found a kitchen knife and baton-torch in his possession.

Police also found a Nazi coin in Zakrocki's pocket, and a stash of Britain First flyers and newspapers at his home in Harrow.



Barry said, Zakrocki appeared to be "fixated" by Muslims and had made donations to Britain First previously. He had a history of depressive illness and alcohol problem.

He told the court that Britain First, formed by members of the BNP, was anti-Muslim and held opinions that were considered by many people as "very extreme indeed".

Zakrocki told police officers he had no recollection of what happened after he had drunk the wine, and denied he was racist.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC remanded the offender into custody to be sentenced on January 12. He called for a report but cautioned he was considering a jail sentence.

This story originally appeared on The Guardian.