Man who threatened to kill Jews to be sentenced
BBCA man who shouted death threats at a synagogue manager and other members of the Jewish community in north London is to be sentenced on Friday.
Tavius Jean Charles of Hackney, east London, was arrested on 24 March following reports of a man shouting antisemitic abuse and throwing a rock at the window of a moving car.
Last month the 36-year-old pleaded guilty to eight offences of religiously aggravated threatening behaviour against six victims and religiously aggravated criminal damage between October 2025 and March 2026.
In an impact statement read to Southwark Crown Court, one victim, synagogue manager Barry Bard described Jean Charles as a "danger to society".
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The court heard on the afternoon of 16 March while outside Belz Synagogue in Stamford Hill, north London, Jean Charles shouted at at the synagogue's manager Barry Bard and his son that he would "kill not just you" but "all... Jews".
A short while later, Joel Scher, who describes his appearance as "orthodox Jewish" heard Jean Charles shout "I will kill you Jews" as he drove past him along Heathland Road in north London.
Jean Charles then threw a stone smashing the car's passenger window and causing £205 worth of damage.
Prosecutor Sam Lyon said Jean Charles was overheard by another man - George Stamatakis - saying into his phone: "It would be good if we blew up one of their schools," on 24 March.
On Monday, the court heard that Stamatakis believed Jean Charles was referring to a Jewish school and Jean Charles then asked him: "Are you Jewish?"
'Do you want to lose your life?'
On 24 November last year, Bard's nephew David Bard was standing outside the Belz Synagogue and Jean Charles demanded to know his personal details, including his address, which Bard refused to give him.
The court heard Jean Charles then said: "What do you mean...? Do you want to lose your life?"
Barry Bard attended Belz Synagogue later that week and noticed Jean Charles loitering outside and taking photographs late in the evening.
Jean Charles then shouted across the road "Jew, I'm going to kill you", the court heard, leaving the victim feeling "petrified".
In an impact statement read to court, the synagogue manager also said some of his congregation were "terrified for their lives".
Mitigating for Jean Charles, Mercedes Pascal said the defendant had developed PTSD after being the victim of a shooting in 2024.
Jean Charles will also be sentenced for offences in 2024 of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of cannabis.
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