Man jailed for 5 years over series of violent antisemitic threats near London synagogue

A man is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment over a series of antisemitic threats directed at Jewish community members in north London, the Crown Prosecution Service says.

Tavius Jean Charles, 36, threatened six victims between October 2025 and March 2026 near Belz Synagogue in Stamford Hill, north London.

On March 16, Jean Chales shouted that he would “kill not just you” but “all… Jews” at synagogue manager Barry Bard and his son, then again threatened to kill Joel Scher as he drove by.

The assailant also threw a stone that smashed Scher’s car window.

Jean Charles was also overheard saying on his phone, “It would be good if we blew up one of their schools,” referring to Jews, by George Stamatakis on March 24. He was later arrested by the police that day.

“After presenting this overwhelming evidence to Jean Charles in court, he felt he had no choice but to change his pleas to guilty less than 30 days after he had first claimed he was innocent,” says Varinder Hayre, district crown prosecutor and hate crime lead in the London North area.

“After presenting this overwhelming evidence to Jean Charles in court, he felt he had no choice but to change his pleas to guilty less than 30 days after he had first claimed he was innocent,” Hayre adds.

Tavius Jean Charles has been sentenced to five years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court today for making a series of antisemitic threats.

Read how the CPS worked closely with the @metpoliceuk to secure swift justice by securing early guilty pleas.

https://t.co/ye7T64pWyo pic.twitter.com/V9LVsdj8Aw

— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) May 22, 2026