Express & Star

Islamic street preacher who told woman she'd burn in hell over tight jeans found guilty

A street preacher who told a Muslim woman she would "burn in hell" for wearing tight jeans has been found guilty of religiously aggravated threatening behaviour.

Published

Krissoni Henderson also called his victim a non-believer and a prostitute before branding police "disgusting" atheists, Birmingham Magistrates' Court was told.

Henderson, 31, was arrested in July after former social worker Noor Alneaimi, who had recently undergone eye surgery, made a complaint to West Midlands Police about his behaviour.

See also: More from the case

The student told Henderson's trial she heard him shouting abusive language to a passer-by in New Street, Birmingham, before he told her: "Look at your tight jeans."

Ms Alneaimi, who stressed Henderson was not preaching at the time of the offence, told an earlier hearing: "He directed the conversation to me and started saying you are a 'Kafir'.

"He said 'You shall burn in hell, look at your jeans they are so tight. You will burn in hell for wearing such clothes'.

"I said 'I am going to report you to the authorities' and he said 'They can't do nothing. I am going to come down your house and blow up you and your house'."

Ms Alneaimi, 38, who gave evidence from behind a screen, said: "For him to think that I am a non-Muslim and for him to class me as a non-believer - I was just astounded and absolutely terrified."

Police body-cam footage played to magistrates showed officers being berated by Henderson after they called at his flat a day after the incident.

The footage showed Henderson saying he was sick and tired of racism, and calling one officer a "filthy disgusting beast" and a "statue worshipper" before another officer advised him: "You need to chill yourself out. I just want you to put your shoes on."

In his evidence to the trial, Henderson, of Brook Street in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, claimed his victim had "targeted" him - and may have been trying to seduce him.

Henderson - who also shouted "Allahu Akbar" before he was arrested - told magistrates Ms Alneaimi may have been attracted to his muscles.

The preacher - who quoted from both the Koran and the Bible after emerging from court - declined to confirm his religion at the hearing, telling magistrates: "My religion is humanity. My religion is to love people regardless of what they wear."

Henderson, who is likely to receive a community order, will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.