The detective behind the mosque attack investigation said stupidity by three men led to their convictions.

Detective Sergeant Andrew 'Charlie' Morrow, said: "We had witnesses from inside the mosque and others in the area who were all able to give us accounts that conflicted with those of the three suspects.

"I have to say it was a bit of stupidity on behalf of the three suspects.

"I have dealt with brighter villains in my time.

"Taking a photograph was not exactly clever.

"The fact that the bacon was left at the mosque was disgusting. The defendant told us that was why he bought it, confirming the racial element and also the stupidity.

"Who would go into Tesco where everyone knows they have CCTV?"

D Sgt Morrow, who has started a new job at the Metropolitan Police’s gang unit since the trial ended, said Morris’s refusal to answer incriminating questions from prosecutor Gopal Hooper was "not a good moment for him".

He said: "Pottle’s performance in court was second only to Morris, who just said ‘No comment’.

"That was extremely foolish. It is the first time I can remember anybody saying ‘No comment’ in front of a judge."

He said he was "disgusted" by the attack, but said: "I was equally disgusted at the actions at the cenotaph [the poppy burning by Islamic extremists sparked the protest]. That really made me sick."

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