A WORSHIPPER at an Islamic centre who battered a parking attendant with an iron bar during the holy month of Ramadan has been jailed for 15 months.

Maqboolali Kassam, 36, of east London, was found guilty of unlawful wounding and affray after a seven day trial at Harrow Crown Court.

Kassam, a cab-driver, and two passengers, got into an argument with the volunteer attendant when they drove into the car park of the centre in Wood Lane, Stanmore, at high speed in October.

Kassam became abusive and grabbed an iron bar from the boot of his Vauxhall Omega.

He hit his victim so hard that the man's head was split open, needing stitches.

He then made off in his car but was arrested 13 days later.

Defence counsel Michael Latham described his client as a "devoted family man" who was opposed to violence.

He also stressed that a pre-sentence report found Kassam to be of medium to low risk to the public.

He said: "It is a very sad matter when a man of his age finds himself convicted of crimes like this, particularly sad when they are so out of character.

"It is deeply regrettable that this incident happened.

"He appreciates that it is his own fault and he is very worried about the effect on his family and understands the effect on his victim."

Kassam was sentenced to 15 months for unlawful wounding and six months, to run concurrently, for affray.

The judge, Miss Recorder Joanna Greenberg, said: "The only proper sentence in this case is one of immediate custody.

"You deliberately went to your car and retrieved a weapon which was an iron bar and returned to an altercation that you had started.

"You then struck a blow to the head of the victim.

"It was not serious, but only because the weapon came apart.

"There are causes for concern about your behaviour and causes for concern in the future.

"Your brother said of you that you had mental problems."

A relative comforted Kassam's wife as he was lead away.

Detective Sergeant Stuart McKenchnie, of Harrow police, said: "We are pleased with the result.

"This was an unprovoked attack which took place outside a holy place.

"This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in the borough."

sanand@london.newsquest.co.uk