A man who attempted to set fire to a mosque has today been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

Thomas Conington, aged 29, attempted to set fire to the Central Mosque in Edinburgh in the early hours of Sunday, September 18.

He threw a lit petrol bomb over the gates of the Potterrow complex.  This attempt was unsuccessful and did not result in any damage.

Gayfield CID carried out enquiries that led to the identification and arrest of Conington.

Conington pled guilty to wilful fire-raising, behaving in a threatening manner and a charge under the Explosives Act at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, January 18.  All charges were deemed to have religious aggravators.

He was sentenced today at Glasgow High Court. He was also sentenced to a life-long restriction order.

Detective Inspector Grant Johnston said:  “Conington specifically targeted Edinburgh’s Islamic community by attacking the mosque.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community. There is no place for prejudice in society and Police Scotland is committed to tackling these offences wherever and whenever they occur.”

“We take all reports of hate crime with the upmost seriousness.  All reported incidents will be investigated thoroughly by officers in order to ensure that perpetrators such as Conington are brought to justice.

“We will continue to work with the Islamic community with the support of our partners to stop this type of criminality from taking place.”

Those wishing to report a hate crime can do so by contacting Police Scotland on 101, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or additionally through a third party.

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.

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