A group affiliated with the Wagner Group, at the behest of Russia, has been sentenced for orchestrating a deliberate arson attack on a warehouse in Leyton, causing around £1 million in damages. The judge labeled the incident as a “planned campaign of terrorism and sabotage.” Five individuals involved in the attack were sentenced at the Old Bailey following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. The main culprit, Dylan Earl, aged 21, made contact with the Wagner Group in 2023 and recruited a team to set fire to the warehouse.
Initial contact was made with Jake Reeves, who then enlisted Nii Kojo Mensah to carry out the arson, and Mensah, in turn, brought in Jakeem Rose. Another individual, Ugnius Asmena, was also recruited for the operation. Evidence presented during the trial connected the men to the arson attack, with footage showing Rose and Mensah approaching the warehouses. Mensah even messaged Reeves about the incident, mentioning that it made the news.
Following the arson, Earl was in contact with Mensah discussing the aftermath. Prosecutors revealed that while the perpetrators were motivated by money, Earl and Reeves had orchestrated the attack on behalf of Russia. Earl had expressed his eagerness to carry out multiple “missions” for the Wagner Group. The individuals were arrested, with dramatic footage showing Earl being apprehended by police.
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command highlighted the dangerous nature of the group’s actions, emphasizing the risk posed to the public during the arson attack. The Crown Prosecution Service praised the successful prosecution as a significant milestone in national security efforts.
Earl received a 17-year prison sentence with an additional six years on extended licence for his leadership role, while Reeves was sentenced to 12 years in prison with one year on extended licence. Jakeem Rose received eight years and 10 months, Nii Mensah nine years, and Ugnius Asmena seven years in prison for their involvement in the aggravated arson. Each individual was also given an additional year on extended licence. This case marked the first convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the Wagner Group.
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