Three teenagers and one adult have pleaded guilty to setting fire to ambulances owned by a Jewish charity in North London, causing damages exceeding £1 million. The attack was claimed by a group identified as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, which is described as an Iranian-backed militant organization.
Saif Ali, 18, from Walthamstow, is reported to have rented a car used in the attack and issued orders to the others, later boasting about the incident in messages. He appeared at the Old Bailey to plead guilty to arson, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. Alongside him were Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both from Leyton, and Judex Atshatshi, 18, from Dagenham, who appeared via video link from prison.
Khan allegedly attempted to shift blame for the attack onto another gang called the Northumberland Park Killers. A fifth individual, Subhan Ahmed, 18, from Walthamstow, denies assisting an offender after reportedly hiring the getaway car and arranging for it to be scrapped shortly after the incident.
Atshatshi has a history of offenses related to knife possession, while the other defendants do not have prior convictions. The four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer ambulance service in Golders Green, were fully stocked and valued at approximately £250,000 each. The arson occurred around 1:35 AM on March 23, resulting in significant damage, including explosions from oxygen tanks inside the ambulances that affected nearby properties.
Prosecutor Leo Seelig indicated that the prosecution would argue for a terrorist connection during the sentencing hearing, which will take place after Ahmed's trial next year. Evidence presented included mobile phone data showing searches related to ambulance costs and police investigations, as well as CCTV footage capturing the suspects during the attack.
The defendants were remanded in custody pending their sentencing hearing scheduled for next year.