Teenage boy smashed synagogue window and threw lit bottle inside, judge told
The boy has been freed on bail with conditions and is due to appear at Willesden Youth Court on 4 June.
A teenage boy smashed the window of a north-west London synagogue before lighting a bottle and throwing it inside, a judge has been told.
The 17-year-old, a British national from Brent, north-west London, who has not been named because of his age, admitted arson not endangering life at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
In a written summary of the case, District Judge Nina Tempia was told CCTV footage showed the defendant climbing over the boundary wall at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday.
He “appeared to throw something at a window to break it, before lighting an object with his left hand and throwing it with his right hand through the window”, the judge was told.
The 17-year-old then fled the scene.
Two other suspects are outstanding in the investigation, the court heard.
A rock, a broken glass bottle apparently containing accelerant and a partly burnt tissue were found on the floor of the synagogue, the judge was told.
The Community Security Trust said minor smoke damage to an internal room was caused but there were no injuries or significant structural damage.
The judge was told the boy provided a prepared statement, in which he admitted he threw the bottle.
The statement continued: “I have no hate towards the Jewish people of their community. I didn’t know it was a synagogue. I genuinely thought it was an empty building.
“I had no intention of hurting anyone as nobody was in the building. I am very sorry for my actions.”
At the short court 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.
Judge 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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