The man attempted to murder one of the elderly Muslim worshippers by dousing him in petrol and setting him on fire outside an Ealing mosque, a court heard.

Mohammed Abbkr, 29, is accused of targeting the first pensioner because he failed to recognise him, telling him - "I swear in the name of Allah you will know me."

On Monday 23 October, Abbkr went on trial charged with attempted murder and two counts of administering a destructive thing (namely petrol) with intent to endanger life.

Birmingham Crown Court heard victim Hashi Odowa was firstly targeted outside the West London Islamic Centre on Singapore Road, Ealing, London on February 27.

The 82-year-old suffered severe burns after he had petrol squirted at him from a bottle Abbkr had taken to the mosque before being set on fire.

Nicholas de la Poer KC, prosecuting, said: "In February this year Hashi Odowa was a regular worshipper at the West Ealing Islamic Centre where is neighbour, Fahad Khan, also attended.

"The arrangement was that Mr Khan would give Mr Odowa, who was 82, a lift home.

"It was on February 27 Mr Odowa approached Mr Khan's car at about 7.50pm, both men having observed evening prayers.

"The defendant also attended evening prayers that night at the West Ealing Islamic Centre.

"He followed Mr Odowa from the entrance and caught up with him. There followed a conversation during which the defendant insisted that Mr Odowa knew him.

"Mr Odowa told him he did not as they reached the vehicle where Mr Khan was waiting for Mr Odowa in the driver's seat.

"He asked the defendant to leave Mr Odowa alone. The defendant told Mr Khan to go away.

"The fact that Mr Odowa did not recognise the defendant appears to have provoked the defendant into action."

Mr De la Poer said Abbkr then told the victim: "I swear in the name of Allah, in the name of God, you will know me."

The second victim, Mohammed Rayaz, 70, was attacked as he walked home from Dudley Road Mosque, in Birmingham, on March 20 (credit: SWNS).

He added: "He then sprayed Mr Odowa with a light-coloured liquid, aiming for his head.

"The defendant had brought the liquid with him to the mosque in a plastic white bottle.

"The defendant then took out a lighter and struck the lighter holding it to Mr Odowa's neck and igniting the petrol and walked away."

The prosecutor said that fortunately Odowa, the first victim, only suffered minor burns to his ear and hand.

The second victim, Mohammed Rayaz, 70, was attacked as he walked home from Dudley Road Mosque, in Birmingham, on March 20.

Rayaz had to receive a skin graft following the attack.

The court heard Abbkr came to the UK from Sudan in 2017 and was granted asylum in 2019.

Abbkr, from Edgbaston, Birmingham, has admitted he was the person who set fire to the victims but denies the charges against him.

The trial continues.

We want to provide Ealing with more and more clickbait-free local news. To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following. Help us survive and sign up for our free weekly newsletter by clicking the link HERE.

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram and X to stay updated on the latest news in your area. Don't miss out!