Glade of Light: Manchester Arena memorial vandal Anwar Hosseni sentenced over £10,000 of damage

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced by the courts for damaging the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester.

Manchester Crown Court was shown footage of Anwar Hosseni, from Salford, making marks on the marble halo of the memorial, which commemorates those killed in the Manchester Arena bomb.

A relative of one of the victims reported the damage to police who investigated the incident on 8 February.

The scratches cost £10,768 to repair.

Hosseni was arrested and admitted that he had caused the damage but claimed he hadn’t intended to upset anyone and instead wanted to express ‘love, unity and gratitude’.

Hosseni has now been sentenced to a two-year community order with a 12 month mental health treatment requirement and a 10 days activity requirement.

A criminal behaviour order was also made for two years to prevent further offences.

Families upset

A family member of the victims said in a victim personal statement: “We take this upset very personally as the memorial represents our daughter and her boyfriend along with 20 others who were murdered in Manchester and we hoped her death would be respected by all and it’s more sadness and hurt we can do without.”

Caroline Wilbraham, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North West, added: “The memorial is an important tribute for Manchester and the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the terrorist attack five years ago.

“I am appalled that anyone would damage the memorial, knowing what it represents.

“Thanks to the strength of evidence in this case, Hosseni accepted his guilt at an early stage. The CPS will robustly prosecute those who commit appalling offences like this, that affect the whole community.”