A man has been jailed after he drove at a group of worshippers outside a Muslim community centre.

Martin Stokes, 25, of Lynton Close, Wembley, has been jailed for five years this after deliberately driving into the group in Cricklewood leaving three people injured.

It happened at 12.30am on September 19 last year when Mr Stokes was parked up in a car park which was close to the Al Hussaini Association Muslim community centre in Horseshoe Close.

Mr Stokes was drinking and smoking in the car along with others and was asked to move due to a private event taking place. He then drove his car into worshippers who were leaving the community centre moments after racially abusing them.

The attack left three people with injuries, including a man in his 50s who suffered a serious leg and hip injury leaving him in hospital for more than three weeks.

An investigation was launched on October 23 and Stokes was later arrested and charged.

Along with his five-year sentence he has been banned from driving for seven-and-a-half years.

Mohammed Al Bayati, from the Al Hussaini Association, said: "The attack, against men, women and children and which resulted in serious injuries to the victims, took place at night during Muharram, a sacred month of the Islamic calendar. Our thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the victims of the attack and to their friends and families.

“The members of our association wish to join me in recognising the selfless actions and bravery of all our community wardens, men and women, young and old and the other members of our community whose care and prompt actions helped minimise the extent of the injuries sustained and prevented an even deeper unthinkable tragedy.

“We are particularly grateful to Commander Simon Rose and Detective Sergeant Kelly Schonhage and their teams for their swift action and continued efforts relating to this attack, in identifying those involved, and in bringing much needed reassurance to our community.”