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Man who vandalised Manchester Arena bombing memorial walks free
The memorial was found with white scratches on its marble surface just weeks after its opening
The man charged with vandalising the Manchester Arena bombing memorial earlier this year has walked free from court.
Anwar Hosseni, of Twillbrook Drive, Salford, admitted to vandalising The Glade Of Light memorial, which bares the names of the twenty-two people killed in the May 2017 attack.
The twenty-four-year-old had scratched white lines onto the marble memorial with a crystal Buddhist head figure in the early hours of February 9th, just weeks after its opening.
CCTV footage also showed him praying and dancing at the site, located next to Manchester Cathedral in the city centre.
When he was arrested, Hosseni told police he wanted to give ‘love, unity, honour and gratitude for the souls of those who passed away’.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Hosseni has an ‘established psychiatric history’ including periods of detention under the Mental Health Act.
Gwen Henshaw, defending, said he ‘very much understands’ that his actions were wrong and hurtful to many, including the victims’ families.
He told the court, as per ITV News: “He is mortified to know that he has caused them hurt and anguish because he prides himself on helping people. He is sorry for the pain that he has caused.”
Yesterday, Hosseni received a two-year community order and a two-year criminal behaviour order which prevents him from visiting the immediate area surrounding The Glade Of Light.
He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to criminal damage, and has no previous convictions.
Speaking to reporters outside of court, Hosseni said to the families of the victims: “I’m truly sorry. Please forgive me. I understand the pain and suffering that you have been going through.
“I can feel and resonate… Looking at the scared memorial. Thank you for forgiving me.”