A Ukrainian man has admitted setting fire to a car that once belonged to Sir Keir Starmer after being threatened by a powerful Russian-speaking man using the pseudonym El Money, a court has heard.
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, is accused along with two others of arson attacks on a vehicle and two houses in north London linked to the prime minister. A Toyota Rav4 that was once owned by Starmer was burnt out in Kentish Town in the early hours of 8 May last year.
Giving evidence at the Old Bailey, Lavrynovych said he initially refused El Money's offer of £3,000 in cryptocurrency but agreed after being told that El Money knew where he lived and it 'might be dangerous' for him. He told jurors: 'I felt that there is a threat towards myself and my family. My fear was genuine.'
The court heard he was instructed to break a side window and throw in a bottle of flammable liquid, but instead poured liquid on the front of the Toyota and set it alight using paper and his lighter. Lavrynovych also admitted spraying racist graffiti on an Islamic community centre for £20 and being asked to put up posters linking mosques with crime.
Lavrynovych, along with Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, and Petro Pochynok, 35, all from London, deny conspiracy to damage property by fire. Lavrynovych also denies damaging two properties by fire with intent to endanger life.
