Sheffield Man Avoids Jail After Releasing Rats Outside Mosque

Edmund Fowler, 66, was sentenced to an 18-week prison term suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to four counts of racially aggravated harassment for releasing rats outside the Sheffield Grand Mosque on four occasions between May and June 2025. CCTV footage showed Fowler removing caged rats from the boot of his car and releasing them near the mosque while shouting racist insults at worshippers. Fowler filmed himself during these acts but claimed he did not know why he committed the crimes, suggesting a possible mental breakdown linked to his caregiving responsibilities for his wife with breast cancer. The court banned him from approaching any mosque or entering certain city areas for 18 months and required him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days. The mosque manager described the impact as causing fear and distress among the Muslim community, who now feel too scared to attend the mosque. The judge expressed disgust at Fowler's actions, emphasizing they were premeditated and constituted a hate crime, while an anti-hate crime charity called the incident highly dehumanizing.