A 28-year-old man accused of shoving lit tissue paper through the letterbox of a mosque has been charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

Philip Donovan, of Ingoldsby Road, Canterbury, is also accused of setting fire to a car parked near to the mosque in Foord Road South, Folkestone.

Canterbury magistrates were told Donovan, who has no previous convictions, allegedly carried out the attacks at around 4am on Thursday.

Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said a woman in Foord Road South discovered the back of her Volkswagen Golf alight.

A partially burned piece of tissue was also found posted through the letter box of a mosque nearby.

Imam Abdul Awal had been inside the building at the time of the incident, say prosecutors.

Donovan is charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life, which carries a possible life sentence.

He also faces an alternative charge of attempted arson for the alleged mosque attack, and a charge of arson for the alleged car attack.

Donovan was bailed to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on March 23.

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