Teenager who ‘got rid of car from Jewish ambulance arson attacks’ in court

A teenager accused of getting rid of the car allegedly used for an arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances has been set free on bail.

Subhan Ahmed, 18, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to face an allegation that he assisted his friends after the fires in Golders Green in the early hours of 23 March.

It is said that Ahmed, from Walthamstow, east London, assisted an offender with “the arrangement for the scrapping of your Toyota Avensis vehicle”.

Four ambulances belonging to Jewish charity Hatzola were damaged in the alleged arson attack.

Hamza Iqbal, 20 and Rehan Khan, 19, both from Leyton, east London; Judex Atshatshi, 18, from Dagenham, east London; and a 17-year-old boy from Walthamstow are all accused of carrying out the attack.

It is said that three were involved directly in starting the fires, while the fourth was waiting in the Toyota Avensis that they had allegedly travelled in together to the scene.

The subsequent fire caused gas canisters inside the ambulances to explode, resulting in around £1 million of damage. Nearby flats and a synagogue were also damaged.

The arson trial has been set for January next year, with the next hearing listed for 28 August.

The court heard on Tuesday that Ahmed is accused of “providing the car” used in the attack, and he has been charged over his alleged actions after the fires.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted Ahmed bail until a hearing at the Old Bailey on 3 July.

He must abide by bail conditions to sleep each night at home in Walthamstow and observe a midnight to 6am curfew.

Ahmed is also banned from entering the London borough of Barnet or going to any synagogue in the UK.