Man jailed after damage to multi faith room at Leeds hospital
Last updated 18th Mar 2026
A man has been sentenced after being convicted of causing damage to a multi faith room at a hospital in Leeds.
36 year old Ibrahim Iqbal was found guilty of two counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage and one count of criminal damage.
A Police statement said:
"A man has been sentenced after being convicted of causing damage to a multi faith room at a hospital in Leeds.
"Ibrahim Iqbal, aged 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Leeds Magistrates’ Court yesterday to 40 weeks imprisonment.
"He was previously found guilty of two counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage and one count of criminal damage.
"Police were called to an incident of religiously aggravated criminal damage within a multi faith room in the Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, on 29 November 2025. A framed Islamic scripture had been smashed, and multiple copies of the Quran had been defaced, with pages torn out, set alight and used to block the sink and toilet.
"A further incident of criminal damage within the multi faith room was reported on 9 December, with items used to cause a blockage in the drains.
"Iqbal was detained by hospital security staff on 10 December, having again tried to gain access to the same room.
"He was arrested and identified on CCTV as having entered the multi faith room on both occasions when the damage had been caused. Officers then conducted further enquiries to confirm that Iqbal was the only person to enter the room between it last being seen to be in order and the damage being discovered.
"During his detainment, Iqbal committed a further act of religiously aggravated criminal damage when he wrote antisemitic graffiti on his cell wall at the police station."
Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds, said:
“Iqbal caused damage to a room in a hospital that is used by people of all faiths for quiet reflection and prayer at what can be a very difficult time for them and their loved ones, ultimately resulting in its closure while the damage had to be repaired.
“I know his actions, both at the hospital and while in custody, will have been particularly felt within the Muslim and Jewish communities and I hope the police action that has been taken demonstrates that hate crimes such as this will not be tolerated.
“Everyone has a right to live their life, and practice their religion, without the fear of targeted abuse for who they are.”