Pair deny arson attack on East London Synagogue

Two men have denied an arson attack on a synagogue in east London.

Dominic Charles-Turner, 31, and Moses Edwards, 45, are accused of setting fire to East London Synagogue in Nelson Street, Whitechapel, on 5 May.

It is alleged there were two explosions followed by fire at the entrance and gates of the synagogue, which had been closed since 2020 but still displayed Jewish symbols.

Charles-Turner and Edwards, both of east London, appeared at the Old Bailey where they pleaded not guilty to destroying or damaging property belonging to Federation Synagogue and being "reckless as to whether life would be endangered".

At the time of the fire, the building was in the process of being bought by a Muslim community group with plans to convert it to a mosque and community centre.

A trial lasting up to three weeks was set for 28 April next year. The defendants were remanded into custody.

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