A MAN who burst into a mosque, brawled with worshippers, smashed framed prayers and a cabinet containing copies of the Koran is to stand trial over the allegations – after claiming he wasn’t responsible for his actions.
Donald Skene admitted he was the man who carried out the destruction at the Taj Madina Mosque in Dundee’s Victoria Road, committed on December 11 last year.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Skene faced the allegation that he acted aggressively by shouting and swearing and repeatedly struggling with members of the congregation.
He then repeatedly punched and smashed the glass of framed prayers on the walls and repeatedly punched and attempted to smash the glass on a cupboard containing copies of the Koran.
Skene then refused to desist and struggled with police constables Rebecca Bann and Steven Moir.
He is also accused of charges of vandalism and resisting arrest at the mosque.
Defence solicitor Kevin Hampton told the court: “The entire Crown case can be agreed.
“It would appear that the defence is his state of mind at the time – his actions are not in dispute.”
Fiscal depute Joanne Smith added: “The incident is more or less captured on CCTV.”
Skene, 38, of Soapwork Lane, Dundee, pleaded not guilty on summary complaint to charges of breach of the peace, vandalism and resisting arrest.
Sheriff Alastair Brown continued the case to a trial date next month.
