Two teenagers have been found guilty of a horrifying attack at an Indian restaurant in Gants Hill, east London. The incident involved pouring petrol on customers before setting them on fire, leaving two victims critically injured with severe burns and several others with serious injuries.
The court learned that the teenagers armed themselves with machetes and petrol stolen from a nearby station. One of them taunted diners while the other prepared to ignite the petrol that had been spread across the restaurant. A fireball erupted upon lighting the taper, causing extensive damage to the premises. The perpetrators fled in a stolen vehicle before the authorities arrived.
Investigators used CCTV footage, traffic cameras, and ANPR data to track the suspects’ movements. The stolen vehicle was traced from Peckham to Barkingside, where one of the teenagers filled canisters with stolen petrol before heading to the restaurant to carry out the attack.
Both teenagers were apprehended two weeks later. They were part of a group that aimed to cause harm, although the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear. After a seven-week trial, they were convicted of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon. They are currently in custody awaiting sentencing scheduled for October 2.
Detective Inspector Emma Sharp, leading the investigation, commended the victims and witnesses for their resilience and cooperation throughout the trial. She emphasized the police’s commitment to unraveling complex incidents and ensuring justice is served, removing dangerous offenders from the streets.