Four Admit Arson Attack on Jewish Community Ambulances

Four men have pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to destroying four Jewish community ambulances in an arson attack that caused approximately £1 million in damages in Golders Green, north-west London. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 23rd.

Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and Judex Atshatshi and Saif Ali, both 18, admitted to destroying property recklessly, endangering life. The court heard that three of the men set fire to the fully equipped ambulances, while a fourth acted as a lookout in a nearby car. The fire led to explosions from gas canisters inside the vehicles.

Prosecutors indicated they would argue for the men to be sentenced on the grounds that the arson attack was terrorism-related. However, defense counsel contested this, stating there was no evidence to support such a connection. The judge stated she would not rule on the terrorism aspect at this stage.

The four defendants, who are from Leyton, Dagenham, and Walthamstow, have been remanded into custody. Their sentencing will follow the trial of a fifth man, Subhan Ahmed, who has denied assisting an offender. The destroyed vehicles belonged to Hatzola, a volunteer-run charity serving the Golders Green community since 1979, providing free emergency medical response and transport regardless of faith.