Photo credit: BBC
A man has admitted to throwing a petrol bomb at a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Islington, north London.
BBC reports that Mark Lewis,65, who pleaded guilty to aytempted arson when he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, was captured on CCTV attacking Thistle City Barbican in Dingley Road on 24 September.
The fire was discovered shortly before 23:00 BST and was put out by security guards. It did not cause any injuries.
Det. Ch Insp Paul Ridley said the attack was “designed to terrify residents annd the local community”, and that Neville had been “motivated by hate.”
Neville was identified on CCTV throwing the petrol bomb at the hotel before returning to the door of his flat on Pear Tree Street.
Police said analysis of his computers showed intrenet searches on far right activism and asylum seekers.
In a police interview, Neville stated that his friends had often sent him articles about immigratiom and that he had attended anti-immigration marches, including one outside the hotel he had targeted.
Neville initially denied peyrol bombing the hotel, claiming he was visiting a friend who had been diagnosed with dementia, but after being confronted with the evidence, he admitted he was the person on the footage.
He pleaded guilty to attempted arson being reckless as to endanger life, possession of a bladed article and possession of a prohibited weapon (a stun gun) in a private place.
He will be sentenced on 8 December.
