A violent mob that descended on Kingston Mosque told frightened elderly worshippers to come outside, a court has heard.

Nine people denied being part of a group that chanted an English Defence League slogan as worshippers cowered inside Kingston Mosque during the attack on November 21, 2010.

Mosque community relations officer Rizwan Khaliq, who spoke from behind screens during the trial at Kingston Crown Court, said people were still inside after midday prayers when the attack began.

Mr Khaliq and the secretary of the mosque, an elder referred to in court as uncle, heard thuds and someone shouting “Oy. Come out”, the court heard.

They looked out of the office window to see a mob descending on them.

Mr Khaliq said: “I then saw an individual who was balaclavered up with a scarf or something across the face rush to our window and hit the window with force.

“He had something like a baseball bat or a stick in his hand which made a very loud sound against the window. I turned to uncle and said ‘Uncle we are under attack’.”

He said the man who attacked the mosque with the stick was wearing a black beanie hat and a black and white scarf covering the lower part of his face.

His first thoughts were to protect the elderly members of the congregation and call the police, the jury heard.

But, through an open window, he was able to see a group of 10 to 20 of hostile people outside the mosque.

He said: “Those standing behind were shouting things like ‘go on’, “I heard the word Paki being shouted.

“My focus was really on the elderly people. How am I going to keep them safe?”

Caretaker Ali Nait Brhim, who also addressed the court from behind screens, filmed the attack on his video camera.

He said the mosque’s CCTV system had been installed in 1995 but was not working on the day of the attack.

He said: “I went upstairs because I knew our recording system doesn’t work. It had broken down.”

He was able to tape record some of the men running away, the jury heard.

He said: “I’ve never had this in 15 years. I have never seen something like that before.”

The court also heard police officers guarding the mosque during an earlier peaceful English Defence League rally through the town centre had only left East Road shortly before.

They returned to the mosque as soon as the alarm was raised.

Damage to a cracked double glazed window and ripped down signs would have cost between £750 and £1,500 to replace, but a company did the work for free, the court heard.

Martin Pottle, 23, David Morris, 21, Alfie Wallace, 19, Terence Earl, 32, Adam Khalfan, 19, Paul Abley, 24, Karl Matthews, 21, Jordan Ellingham, 21, and James Stacey all deny violent disorder, affray and racially-aggravated damage