The charges do not specify who owns the businesses that were targeted – but Companies House records show they are two Ukrainian parcel delivery services: Oddisey and Meest UK.
The CPS said it was the first time they had charged individuals with offences under new legislation created by the National Security Act 2023.
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said he was “deeply concerned” by allegations of British nationals carrying out criminal acts in the UK to benefit Russia after police pressed charges against five men on Friday.
“We will use the full weight of the criminal justice system to hold anyone found guilty of crimes linked to foreign interference to account,” he said.
James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said: “Hostile foreign acts will never be tolerated on UK soil. Our National Security Act has allowed charges to be brought against individuals alleged to be carrying out harmful activity that assists the Russian state. If you threaten UK security, you will face justice.”
Earl ‘hired men to commit attack’
Judge Daniel Sternberg initially put reporting restrictions in place to prevent the identification of Mr Earl, his co-accused, and the details of their alleged crimes.
Those restrictions have now been lifted and it can also be reported that two other men, Paul English, 60, and Nii Kojo Mensah, 21, have been charged with aggravated arson in relation to the case.
On Friday, two other men appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court charged in connection with the case. In total, five men have been charged.
Mr English, of Roehampton, south-west London, and Mensah, of Thornton Heath, south-east London, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses when they appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Monday.
David Cawthorne, prosecuting, said that Mr English had been recruited by Mr Earl, along with two other individuals, to participate in an attack on the building.
The court was told there was “no suggestion at this point in time” that Mr Mensah and Mr English knew why the property was being targeted.
Significant fire ‘caused serious damage’
Mr Cawthorne said the men allegedly committed the crime “because they were willing to engage in a serious criminal enterprise for financial gain”.
The court heard that Mr English collected Mr Mensah and drove to the location of a “commercial premises” in London.
The prosecutor said that CCTV showed the building after it had allegedly been set alight.
Mr Cawthorne added: “There happened to be a lorry driver asleep in his cab right next to the commercial premises. He was alerted and called the emergency services.
“This was a significant fire causing serious damage, a number of fire units attended and the fire service were able to put it out.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
