Pair to deny setting light to former synagogue
Two east London men will face trial next year after denying responsibility for a fire at a former synagogue
Two men have indicated not guilty pleas over an alleged arson attack at a former synagogue in London.
Dominic Charles-Turner, 31, and Moses Edwards, 45, are charged with arson with intent to endanger life at the building in Nelson Street, Whitechapel.
The court heard there were two explosions followed by fire at the entrance and gates of the synagogue, which had been closed since 2020 but still displayed Jewish symbols.
London Fire Brigade were called at 5.11am on 5 May within minutes of the attack by two people wearing tracksuits with hoods up.
Six wine bottles were recovered from the scene, two badly damaged by fire and some later found to contain petrol accelerant.
On Friday, Turner and Edwards, both of east London, appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.
The senior judge said the case would be heard by the Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, at the Old Bailey.
A plea hearing was set for 18 September and a trial from 28 April next year, with a time estimate of two to three weeks.
Barristers for both defendants indicated they would plead not guilty to the charge against them.
At the time of the fire, the former synagogue was in the process of being bought by a Muslim community group with plans to convert it to a mosque and community centre.
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