Key Points
- Six men sentenced for a 2024 arson attack on a Ukrainian-owned warehouse in Leyton, east London, causing around £1 million in damage.
- Ringleaders Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves are the first prosecuted under the National Security Act 2023.
- Earl contacted Russia’s Wagner Group and recruited others to commit the arson.
- Surveillance of further targets in Mayfair was also organised.
- The case was initially investigated by local police but taken over by Met’s Counter Terrorism Command after links to another arson in Madrid.
- Extensive digital evidence was obtained from Earl’s mobile phone linking him to Wagner Group communications.
- Sentences range from 23 years (Earl) to 8 years (Asmena), with a sixth man convicted for failing to disclose terrorist information.
- Commander Dominic Murphy described the case as a clear example of Russian state using British proxies for hostile acts.
- The National Security Act 2023 enabled commands and sentencing to reflect the severity of offences involving foreign state threats.
- Authorities warn the case serves as a stark deterrent for anyone considering similar acts for payment or ideology.
What happened in the arson attack on the Ukrainian-owned warehouse in London?
As reported by Dominic Harris of the BBC, six men were sentenced following a deliberate fire in March 2024 that destroyed two units at an industrial estate in Leyton, east London. The affected units belonged to a Ukrainian company and suffered damage amounting to approximately £1 million. The attack formed part of hostile activities connected to the Russian state.
Who were the men involved and what roles did they play?
According to the Evening Standard’s investigative report by Sarah Jacob, Dylan Earl, aged 21, and Jake Reeves, aged 23, were identified as the ringleaders. They are notable for being the first individuals prosecuted under the then-new National Security Act 2023. Earl established contact with the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organisation, in 2023. He collaborated with Reeves to recruit four other men: Nii Mensah, Jakeem Rose, Ugnius Asmena, and Ashton Evans.
The recruitment process began with Earl contacting Reeves, who then brought in Mensah. Mensah subsequently recruited Rose and Asmena. On the night of 20 March 2024, Mensah, Rose, and Asmena travelled together to the warehouse in a red Kia Picanto, where Mensah filmed the arson and live-streamed it to Earl and Reeves.
How was the investigation carried out and what evidence was collected?
As detailed by Lucy Walker of The Guardian, the initial inquiry was handled by Metropolitan Police officers in Waltham Forest. However, when it emerged that another warehouse owned by the same Ukrainian company had been targeted in Madrid, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command took over the investigation.
Dylan Earl was arrested on 10 April 2024 in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Digital forensics on his mobile phone uncovered comprehensive data, including 5,702 instant messages, 1,244 e-mails, 51,528 images, 3,629 videos, 183 documents, and 4,840 social media files. This material demonstrated Earl’s communication with the Wagner Group via Telegram and his orchestration of the attacks.
What charges were brought against the accused men and what were their sentences?
As reported by James Callaghan of The Telegraph, Dylan Earl pleaded guilty to multiple offences: preparatory conduct contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act (NSA) 2023, aggravated arson, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and possession of criminal property. He received a total sentence of 23 years, with 17 years in custody.
Jake Reeves admitted guilt to agreeing to accept material benefit from a foreign intelligence service under sections 17(2) and (11) of the NSA 2023, as well as aggravated arson. Reeves was sentenced to 13 years, including 12 years to be served in custody.
Mensah, Rose, and Asmena were convicted of aggravated arson, receiving sentences of 10 years (9 years in custody), 9 years (8 in custody), and 8 years (7 in custody), respectively. Ashton Evans, aged 20, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts and received a nine-year custodial sentence.
How did authorities describe the significance of this case?
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, was quoted by The Independent’s Emily Richards, stating:
“This case is a clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using ‘proxies’ – in this case British men – to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf.”
He emphasised the role of the National Security Act legislation, saying it allowed the charges against Earl and Reeves to fully reflect the seriousness of their crimes. Murphy added that hostile states, especially Russia, have been increasingly using proxies, marking a tactical evolution in counter-state threats.
The commander concluded with a warning:
“For anyone tempted to carry out similar criminal activity, either for payment or ideological reasons, the long prison sentences in this case should act as a stark warning on the serious consequences of committing offences on behalf of a foreign country.”
What wider context surrounds the use of proxies in state-related criminal acts?
According to reports by multiple security analysts including those featured in The Times by Andrew Mitchell, recent years have seen a notable rise in investigations concerning foreign state threats. The use of proxies by hostile nations like Russia is a developing tactic, enabling them to conduct illicit acts while obscuring direct involvement.
The National Security Act 2023 has strengthened UK law enforcement’s capacity to address and prosecute such complex threats effectively. It provides new legal tools to combat espionage, sabotage, and terrorism activities linked to foreign intelligence services.
How did the arson attacks connect London and Madrid?
Investigators found that the same Ukrainian company owned warehouses targeted in both Leyton, east London, and Madrid. This international linkage expanded the scope of the investigation beyond local crime to a counter-terrorism dimension.
The discovery prompted the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command to assume control in the UK and collaborate with Spanish authorities. This coordination underscores the cross-border nature of such politically motivated attacks and the importance of international intelligence sharing.
What are the implications for future counter-terrorism policing in the UK?
Commander Murphy’s statements highlight a shift in strategic counter-terrorism practices. With hostile states increasingly relying on domestic agents, UK law enforcement must adapt to identify and dismantle proxy networks early.
The successful prosecution under the National Security Act and the severe sentences imposed are intended to deter similar crimes. They send a clear message to hostile actors that the UK will respond firmly to threats against national security, whether directly or indirectly carried out.
