The voices of the victims resonate strongly as two teenagers have been convicted of arson with intent to endanger life, following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
The defendants, both 17 years old, were found guilty after a seven-week trial at the Old Bailey. Due to their ages, their identities remain undisclosed.
During the trial, the jury learned that the teenagers were part of a group that aimed to inflict serious harm in Gants Hill, Ilford, in August of the previous year. The exact motive behind the attack remains uncertain.
Details of the Attack
On the evening of Friday, August 22, 2025, the teenagers entered a crowded Indian restaurant filled with diners and staff. One of the teenagers, wielding a large machete, threatened customers while his accomplice, also armed with a machete, prepared to ignite a fire after pouring petrol over the floor, furniture, and patrons.
After dousing the surfaces, the accomplice lit the taper, resulting in a fireball that rapidly engulfed the establishment. The attack left two individuals with critical burn injuries, while several others sustained severe injuries.
Investigation and Arrest
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, detectives began gathering footage that captured the suspects fleeing the scene and entering a nearby Toyota Prius. Through extensive review of CCTV footage, traffic cameras, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data, investigators constructed a detailed timeline of the events, tracing the vehicle’s journey to and from Peckham that evening.
After departing south London at 19:07, the car was seen parking near a supermarket in Barkingside. One of the defendants exited the vehicle and stole petrol from a nearby station, filling several canisters.
The vehicle then proceeded to Gants Hill, where the assault occurred. Within weeks, detectives located the stolen Prius, which contained additional evidence against the suspects, including the spout from one of the petrol canisters used in the attack. Mobile phones found in the vehicle helped identify the teenagers.
Using this evidence, police arrested the teenagers two weeks post-attack and recovered clothing, including trainers and a balaclava, that matched what was seen on CCTV.
Detective Inspector Emma Sharp, who led the investigation, stated: „This group tried to outmaneuver the police and evade the consequences of their premeditated violence, but today’s outcome demonstrates that our detectives can unravel complex incidents to secure justice and remove dangerous offenders from our streets. The August attack affected numerous innocent individuals, and I extend my gratitude to the victims and witnesses for their unwavering resilience throughout this ordeal and the trial.“
In addition to the arson conviction, the teenagers were also found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon. They have been remanded and are scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 2.
Quellen: news.met.police.uk
Bildquelle: Daniel Reynaga auf Pexels
