Kenton United Synagogue arson - Teen, 17 pleads guilty

Police officers patrol at a cordon near to an incident at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London <i>(Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)</i>
Police officers patrol at a cordon near to an incident at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)
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A 17-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to arson after an attack on a synagogue in Kenton.

The teenager, a British national from Brent, has not been named because of age.

He admitted to arson not endangering life at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (April 21).

Footage was posted online appearing to show a figure in dark clothing setting light to a bottle of liquid and throwing it through a window at Kenton United Synagogue late on Saturday (April 18).

Jewish charity the Community Security Trust said minor smoke damage to an internal room was caused but there were no injuries or significant structural damage.

At the short hearing, the 17-year-old, who was flanked by two security officers in the dock, spoke only to confirm his personal details and to plead guilty to the charge.

Two family members, including his mother, sat in seats in front of the dock.

Two other suspects are “outstanding” in the investigation, the court heard.

District Judge Nina Tempia freed the youth on bail with conditions including to live and sleep at his home address and to not enter any synagogue.

She told the defendant: “I’m going to grant you bail so that you can be released today.

“If you breach these bail conditions you will be arrested by the police.”

The boy is due to appear at Willesden Youth Court on June 4.

A 19-year-old man who was also arrested after the attack has been released on bail pending further inquiries, the Metropolitan Police said.

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