Man destroys a copy of the Quran out of ‘anger’

A man has been sentenced after being found guilty of setting fire to bins and damaging a copy of the Quran on 1 April this year.

54-year-old Paul Simmons pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 14 June to one count of arson and two counts of criminal damage.

According to reports, the man set fire to two large Grundon bins in Broadway, Maidenhead, after which he was arrested by the police.

Whilst at the Maidenhead Police Station, Simmons damaged a copy of the police’s Code of Conduct book as well as a copy of the Quran.

The court heard on Wednesday that he did so as he was ‘angry’ after being arrested, and was told to pay £275 in compensation for arson. However, he was handed no penalty for the two other counts.

District judge Samuel Goozee said, “I accept your responsibility was reduced by your mental health at the time of the offences.

“You have since been released to hospital for treatment and you remain in hospital and they are planning for your future release.

“Luckily, the cost of the criminal damage was relatively low.”

The exact cost of the damage he caused is unknown, according to reports.

The man appeared in court through a video link and is said to be in a hospital in Bristol.