Three remanded over alleged arson on Jewish group ambulances as new arrest made

Two young men and a boy have been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of torching four Jewish community ambulances in north-west London.

The ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north-west London, were set on fire in the early hours of March 23, causing gas canisters stored in the vehicles to explode, resulting in £1 million worth of damage, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

British men Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, from Leyton, east London; and a 17-year-old boy, of dual British-Pakistani nationality, from Walthamstow; are each charged with one count of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

The accused, who were arrested as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation, did not enter pleas and were remanded in custody during the hearing, which lasted around 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

Another suspect was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in connection with the alleged arson at court on Saturday morning.

Police said the 19-year-old man had been attending the hearing of the three other suspects when he was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He has been remanded in custody, the force said.

Prosecutor Emma Harraway told the court: “There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.”

Prosecutors do not yet know the motivation for the alleged attack, which “specifically targeted” the ambulances, the court heard.

The case is not being treated as terrorism but CTP said due to “the circumstances of the incident” the investigation is being led by its detectives.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details during the hearing, which took place before a full public gallery of relatives.

As Iqbal, who wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit in the dock, was taken to the cells, a member of the public gallery said: “Take care son, yeah.”

The court heard Khan, who also wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit, is a college student.

Both were remanded into custody, with the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remanded into youth detention accommodation.

The three defendants are set to appear at the Old Bailey on April 24.

Two other men aged 45 and 47 who were arrested last week, and are also British, were released on bail until late April.