Two 17-year-old teenagers have been found guilty of attacking diners at an East London restaurant by pouring petrol on them and setting them alight. The attack occurred on August 22 last year at Indian Aroma in Gants Hill, leaving two people with critical burn injuries and multiple others severely injured.
Attack Details
CCTV footage captured the teens at 7:07pm heading to Barkingside, where they parked a stolen Toyota Prius. One teen stole several litres of petrol in canisters from a petrol station. They then drove to the restaurant armed with machetes. One teen, wielding a large machete, taunted customers while his accomplice prepared a taper and lighter. Petrol was poured over the floor, furniture, and people before the taper ignited a fireball that quickly engulfed the establishment.
Investigation and Arrest
After the attack, the teens fled in the stolen car. Detectives used CCTV, traffic cameras, and ANPR data to trace the vehicle’s movements from Peckham to Barkingside and back. The pair were arrested two weeks later. Following a seven-week trial, they were found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon. They have been remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on October 2.
Police Statement
Detective Inspector Emma Sharp, who led the investigation, said: "This group tried to outmanoeuvre the police and avoid the consequences of their premeditated violence, but today’s outcome showcases that our detectives can unravel multifaceted incidents to secure justice and take dangerous offenders off our streets. The August attack impacted dozens of innocent people, and I’d like to thank the victims and witnesses for their steadfast resilience since the incident, and throughout the trial."
Motive Unclear
The motive for the attack remains unknown. The jury heard that the teens were part of a group that set out to cause significant harm in Gants Hill, Ilford. The perpetrators cannot be named due to their age.
