Rainham Hate Crime: Man Who Left Pig’s Heads and Wrote “No Mosques” Loses Appeal.

A man convicted of leaving severed pig’s heads outside a school and youth centres in Rainham has failed in his attempt to reduce his prison sentence.

Josh Campbell, 35, of Hutton, was sentenced in September to two years and eight months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of a series of Islamophobic hate crimes.

Campbell, together with Harvey Wells and James Desbois, left pig’s heads outside Rainham Village Children’s Centre, the Royal Youth Community Centre and Harris Academy. The three locations had recently been used by members of the Muslim community for religious purposes. The group also spray-painted the words “no mosques” on the ground at the sites.

When arrested, Campbell told officers he could not recall his actions on the day of the offences, stating that he is usually intoxicated, and claimed he had not previously been to Rainham.

The offences took place on 25 July 2024, four days before the Southport murders and subsequent public disorder, during which Muslims were widely targeted following incorrect claims about the suspect’s identity.

A jury found Campbell guilty of three counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage. His co-defendants admitted the same charges.

Campbell later challenged his sentence at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the term imposed was excessive. His legal representative referred to the relatively low financial value of the damage caused.

Dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Edis said that in cases involving aggravating factors, where graffiti is intended to create fear, distress or hostility towards a community, the financial cost of removing the damage is not the primary measure of seriousness. He stated that the harm caused affects people rather than property.

Campbell will continue to serve his 32-month custodial sentence.

Harvey Wells, 21, of Hutton, and James Desbois, 30, of Herongate, received prison sentences of 32 months and 25 months respectively.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.