Four men plead guilty to Golders Green ambulance arson attack

Key facts

• Four men pleaded guilty to destroying four Jewish community ambulances in an arson attack in Golders Green.
• The attack occurred in the early hours of March 23.
• The ambulances were operated by the charity Hatzola.
• Prosecutors believe the incident was a targeted attack against the Jewish community.
• A fifth man, Subhan Ahmed, has denied assisting an offender and will face a separate trial.

Four men have pleaded guilty to destroying four Jewish community ambulances in an arson attack that caused approximately £1 million in damages in north-west London. Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, Judex Atshatshi, and Saif Ali, both 18, entered their pleas at London's Central Criminal Court to charges of destroying or damaging property while being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

The attack occurred in the early hours of March 23, when four vehicles operated by the charity Hatzola were set alight in Golders Green. Prosecutors stated they believe the incident was a targeted attack against the Jewish community. The court heard that three of the men set fire to the fully stocked ambulances, while a fourth waited in a nearby car. Following the ignition, gas canisters exploded inside the vehicles, causing damage to nearby apartments and a synagogue.

In addition to destroying each of the £250,000 ambulances, the fire damaged four electrical charging stations and cables, with costs estimated at approximately £5,000 each. Prosecutor Leo Seelig suggested the incident had a "terrorist connection," although no mention was made in court of potential proxies working for Iran. Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb stated she would not rule on the question of terrorism at this stage, as defence counsel argued there was no evidence to support such a connection. Sentencing for the four guilty men will follow the outcome of a trial for a fifth man, Subhan Ahmed, who has denied assisting an offender and is alleged to have helped dispose of the car used in the attack. Iqbal, Khan, Atshatshi, and Ali have been remanded into custody.