Man remanded over fires at houses and automotive linked to Starmer

[ad_1] A Ukrainian man has been remanded in custody after showing in court docket charged in reference to fires at two properties and a automotive linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Roman Lavrynovych, 21, who the BBC understands is a builder and roofer, is accused of three counts of arson with intent to hazard life following the fires at places in north London. He didn't enter any pleas to the fees.

The defendant, assisted by an interpreter, spoke solely to verify his title, date of beginning and tackle at a brief listening to at Westminster Magistrates' Courtroom on Friday.

He'll seem subsequent on the Outdated Bailey for a plea and trial preparation listening to on 6 June.

"At this stage, the alleged offending is unexplained," prosecutor Sarah Przybylska stated on Friday.

Ms Przybylska additionally informed the court docket that Lavrynovych was interviewed beneath warning after his arrest and denied arson.

The court docket additionally heard that accelerant, preliminarily deemed to be of a "gradual burning nature", was utilized in not less than one of many fires.

Mr Lavrynovych was arrested at an tackle in Sydenham within the early hours of Tuesday and charged on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terror Command led the investigation due to the connections to a high-profile public determine.

Within the early hours of Monday, the emergency providers responded to a fireplace on the Kentish City house the place Sir Keir lived earlier than changing into prime minister and shifting into 10 Downing Road.

Police have been alerted by the London Hearth Brigade to reviews of a fireplace on the residential tackle at 01:35 BST.

Injury was brought on to the property's entrance however no person was harm.

The BBC understands the property is rented to the prime minister's sister-in-law.

4 days earlier, on 8 Might, a automotive that Sir Keir offered to a neighbour final yr was set alight on the identical avenue.

Within the early hours of Sunday, firefighters handled a small fireplace on the entrance door of a home transformed into flats in close by Islington, which can also be linked to the prime minister.