IT TOOK a seven week trial at the Old Bailey, but two teenagers have now been convicted of arson with intent to endanger life. They cannot be named because of their age, so locals will not know who put the lives of Ilford people in danger.
It’s a scary story. The two convicted teens were actually part of a group that set out to disrupt life in Gant’s Hill. No explanation for their vendetta was given to the Court.
The arson happened on the evening of Friday, 22nd August, the two teenagers rushed into an “Indian” restaurant, which was full of diners and staff. Both teens had a machete. One of them taunted innocent customers, and the other poured petrol on the floor, tables – and even on customers. He then set fire to the petrol – sending a fireball through the restaurant. The fire left two people with critical burn injuries and others with severe injuries.
Police officers found video footage which showed the suspects leaving the restaurant and getting into a Toyota Prius. They followed it on various cameras and saw it had travelled from Peckham, stopped in Barkingside to buy petrol – and returned to Peckham afterwards. It took a long time to sift through material and track the vehicle, but police were able to find it some days after the incident. It had been stolen before the incident. Unbelievably police found mobile phones left in the car, which helped them identify the suspects.
Speaking as the teens were convicted, Detective Inspector Emma Sharp, who led the investigation, said, “This group tried to outmanoeuvre the police and avoid the consequences of their pre-mediated violence, but today’s outcome showcases that our detectives can unravel multifaceted incidents to secure justice and take dangerous offenders off our streets. The August attack impacted dozens of innocent people, and I’d like to thank the victims and witnesses for their steadfast resilience since the incident, and throughout the trial.”
The two teens were also found guilty of a possession of an offensive weapon. They were remanded and will return to the Old Bailey on 2nd October for sentencing.
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