FOUR MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO ARSON ATTACK ON JEWISH AMBULANCES

Hamza Iqbal, Rehan Khan, Judex Atshatshi and Saif Ali pleaded guilty on Friday to destroying or damaging property whilst being reckless whether life would be endangered. The charge relates to an arson attack on four ambulances operated by Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, in Golders Green, north London, in the early hours of 23 March. The attack caused approximately £1 million of damage. Iqbal, Khan and Atshatshi entered their pleas by video-link from Wandsworth and Pentonville jails, whilst Ali appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey.

Three of the defendants set fire to the fully stocked vehicles whilst a fourth waited in a blue Toyota Avensis. The resulting blaze caused gas canisters inside the ambulances to explode, and nearby flats and a synagogue sustained fire damage. The ambulances, each valued between £240,000 and £250,000, were destroyed along with four electrical charging stations and cables costing approximately £5,000 each. Prosecutors stated they believe the incident was a targeted attack against the Jewish community. Ali, arrested on 1 April, threw his mobile phone from a window upon arrest and had been in contact with another defendant in February regarding the purchase of a blue Toyota Avensis.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb ordered pre-sentence reports for all four defendants and remanded them in custody pending sentencing. The court scheduled sentencing to take place in spring 2027 at the conclusion of a separate trial.