Woman Convicted for Antisemitic Assault Outside North London Jewish School

Saida Hatton, 39, was convicted at Stratford Magistrates' Court for racially motivated assault charges following an antisemitic attack outside a Jewish school in north London. The incident occurred on May 10, when a group of children waited outside the school gates after a trip. Hatton shouted antisemitic slurs at a mother and baby, then threatened the children with raised arms. When a father intervened, she assaulted him by hitting his face and pulling his beard while continuing antisemitic abuse.

Hatton was found guilty of three counts of racially aggravated assault, one count causing actual bodily harm, and one count of racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress. Senior Crown Prosecutor Raghvash Singh described the attack as "shocking," emphasizing the hateful violence directed at children and the public in a communal space. Police commander Brittany Clark called the assault "despicable" and noted the rapid police response within minutes of the report, leading to Hatton’s charge within two days.

This attack is part of a recent surge in antisemitic incidents in London, including the attempted murder of two Jewish men and arson attacks on ambulances belonging to a Jewish emergency service in Golders Green. Police data shows a rise in antisemitic hate crimes, with 140 recorded in April, up from 98 in March and 67 in February. Sentencing for Hatton is scheduled for later this month.