A man who made threats to detonate Jewish schools shortly after shouting “I will eliminate you Jews” has been sentenced to prison. Tavius Jean-Charles, aged 36, intimidated six individuals with continuous threats over multiple months, mainly near synagogues. He targeted people he believed were Jewish, issuing death threats and advocating for the destruction of Jewish educational institutions.
One victim was left troubled when Charles mentioned, “It would be beneficial if we destroyed one of their schools,” in reference to several Jewish schools in Stoke Newington, North London. This remark led to Charles’ arrest, revealing that he had uttered “I will kill you Jews” just the day before.
Charles received a five-year prison term at Southwark Crown Court recently, a move hailed by the Metropolitan Police as a demonstration of its dedication to combating hate crimes. This development followed the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, North London, a few weeks earlier.
In response to Charles’ sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, in charge of policing in the area, stated, “Jean-Charles claimed during interviews with detectives that he harbored no negative sentiments towards Jewish people. However, the evidence contradicts his assertion, and I am gratified that my team, in collaboration with our partners, was able to bring him to justice. There is no tolerance for hate in the city. I trust this case underscores to the Jewish community in London our seriousness in addressing antisemitic offenses.”
Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism detectives are overseeing 11 investigations related to assaults on Jewish and Iranian communities, including the incident where two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green in April. So far, 35 arrests have been made in connection with these investigations, resulting in charges against 10 individuals.
Charles’ crimes occurred between October 2025 and March 2026 near synagogues. Last month, the offender, a resident of Hackney, East London, pleaded guilty to seven racially-motivated public order offenses and one count of racially-driven criminal damage. As part of his sentence, Charles was issued with an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting his victims or entering the Stamford Hill region.
