Man Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Stabbing Jewish Building Superintendent in London Hate Crime

Alfonso Pena, 51, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison after stabbing a Jewish building superintendent in a London suburb. The attack occurred on July 31, 2025, but details were only revealed at sentencing. The incident began when a tenant accused Pena of taking food from the shared kitchen. Security footage showed Pena taking and eating the food. Pena, who was heavily intoxicated, confronted the superintendent, called him a "Jewish terrorist," and threatened him before leaving the scene. He then returned and stabbed the superintendent in the back between the shoulders.

After his arrest, Pena also threatened police officers and attempted to bite one. During the trial, Pena admitted to the assault, possession of the knife, and injuring the victim but denied intent to cause harm. His defense claimed he was experiencing a psychiatric episode at the time. The jury heard psychiatric evaluations and found him guilty of intentional injury.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sobhi-Marga Matila stated that Pena launched a violent and frightening attack, preceded by antisemitic hatred toward the victim. The court recognized the victim's religious identity as an aggravating factor, resulting in a harsher sentence. The prosecution had requested the incident be classified as a hate crime, which the court upheld in its ruling.