Woman who abused Muslim artist post Brexit bailed before sentencing next week

The Metro and Daily Mail report on the court appearance of a woman charged with religiously aggravated criminal damage after she shouted “Saudi Arabia go home” at a Muslim artist last month and destroyed her art installation.

Mikaela Haze, 70, walked into the Royal College of Art on the evening of 29 June and abused artist, Yasmeen Sabri, telling her “we voted to take our country back again” before damaging an art exhibit featuring a woman in a veil.

Sabri, who was exhibiting the display as part of the ‘Walk a Mile in her Veil’ exhibition said the woman walked in off the street before abusing her and destroying her work. The estimated cost of damage has been put at £6,300.

Sabri, speaking about the incident last month, said, “I don’t know if this is because of Brexit that people feel it’s ok to be violent towards people like this.

“I’ve been living in London for six years and I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

Haze pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated criminal damage but denied her actions were “racist”. She told the court: “I plead guilty but I don’t consider it racist because… it wasn’t at her, I promise you.

Haze also apologised for Ms Sabri saying “I’m very sorry to the lady who I offended.”

Haze will face sentencing at Westminster magistrates’ court on 26 July and as a condition of bail has been barred from entering the Royal College of Art.