Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc have been sentenced at the Old Bailey to seven and two years in prison respectively for carrying out arson attacks on properties connected to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Details of the Attacks
Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to commit arson on a car and two properties linked to the prime minister. On 8 May 2025, a Toyota Rav4, once owned by Starmer, was set ablaze. A second fire occurred on 11 May at the front door of a north London property previously managed by Starmer. In the early hours of 12 May, a fire broke out at Starmer's former home in Kentish Town, where his sister-in-law and her family were residing.
Recruitment by 'El Money'
During the trial, the jury heard that an anonymous Russian-speaking figure named El Money recruited Lavrynovych and Carpiuc on Telegram. The contact offered Lavrynovych payment to set the fires, record them, and ensure media coverage. Lavrynovych was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire, being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Another Ukrainian man, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
Judge's Remarks
In a televised sentencing, Mr Justice Garnham directed most of his remarks at Lavrynovych, stating: “You agreed to carry out this mindless piece of arson for money. You were not a man of great principle and you were easily bought.” He rejected Lavrynovych's claim that he did not know the houses were occupied, describing him as “utterly reckless about the risk you were creating.” The judge accepted that neither man instigated the attacks but called Lavrynovych a “useful idiot” acting as a “pawn for some unknown cause.”
Mitigation and Sentencing
Both men showed no emotion as their sentences were read out. Lavrynovych's lawyer, James Scobie KC, described him as “utterly naive, utterly gullible, unthinking” and a “complete and utter footsoldier.” He noted the shame felt by Lavrynovych's family in Ukraine, saying: “He's going back to a country who is at war and, unwittingly or otherwise, he hasn't been on their side.” Carpiuc's barrister, Shahid Rashid, said his client was “the money man” who helped realize cryptocurrency, motivated by helping a friend in need of funds for his father's medical treatment.
