Two men charged with arson over fires at homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer made their first appearance at a crown court on Friday.
The Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 21 and the Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appeared at the Old Bailey in London via video link from Belmarsh prison. Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, refused to leave his cell and did not appear in court.
Lavrynovych has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, while Pochynok and Carpiuc are accused of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
Last month, a spate of fires occurred across north London at properties and a car linked to the prime minister. One took place at the Starmer’s family home in north-west London, which he lets to his sister-in-law. A car that Starmer sold to a neighbour last year was set alight four days earlier on the same street.
On 11 May, firefighters dealt with a small fire at the front door of a house where the Labour leader is understood to have lived in the 1990s before it was converted into flats.
Lavrynovych, speaking via a Ukrainian interpreter, confirmed his name and date of birth to the court. Carpiuc also confirmed his name and date of birth.
Lavrynovych said the court was “very, very hushed” after he was asked by his interpreter whether he could hear the room well. His barrister also mentioned concerns around his health: “I’ve already spoken to his mother to see if we could get his health records as well. He has heart issues [that] need to be looked into immediately.”
Pochynok’s barrister said he last saw the defendant a week ago and had “no explanation as to why he has refused to leave his cell”.
Carpiuc was arrested last month at Luton airport. At a previous hearing, the court heard he had lived in the UK for nine years and had recently finished a two-year business studies degree at Canterbury Christ Church University. He was working in construction and living in east London at the time of his arrest.
Lavrynovych was the first person to be arrested and charged. The BBC reported that he worked as a builder and roofer.
All three defendants were remanded in custody to next appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court on 17 October.
A fourth person, a 48-year-old man, was arrested by police at Stansted airport on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the incidents. The Metropolitan police said he had been released on bail until next month.
A provisional trial date was set for 27 April next year.