Man charged after rats released near mosque

A man has been charged with racially aggravated harassment after rats were released near a mosque in Sheffield.

Police were called to Grimesthorpe Road, in Burngreave, on Monday following reports a man had stopped at the side of the road and released three rats from the boot of a vehicle near the Grand Mosque.

Edmund Fowler, 66, from Sheffield, appeared at the city's magistrates' court earlier charged with four counts of causing racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

During the hearing he indicated he would plead guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on 16 July.

South Yorkshire Police said the charges also related to other incidents targeting those attending the Grand Mosque on 3 and 26 May as well as 7 June.

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