A cohort of individuals affiliated with the Wagner Group has been sentenced for perpetrating a deliberate arson attack on a warehouse in Leyton, causing significant damage and described by a judge as a “planned campaign of terrorism and sabotage.” The incident, which occurred on March 20 last year, resulted in approximately £1 million worth of destruction. The five convicted individuals, after being investigated by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, were sentenced at the Old Bailey.
The investigation revealed that 21-year-old Dylan Earl made contact with the Wagner Group in 2023 and recruited a group of men to set fire to the warehouse. He also organized surveillance of businesses in Mayfair in preparation for additional arson attacks. Earl’s Telegram messages detailed the recruitment process, starting with Jake Reeves, who then enlisted Nii Kojo Mensah and Jakeem Rose, and eventually Ugnius Asmena.
Evidence presented during the trial strongly linked the men to the warehouse arson, with footage showing Rose and Mensah approaching the site and leaving DNA evidence behind. It took 60 firefighters from eight fire crews to contain the blaze. Subsequent messages between the perpetrators discussed the extent of the damage caused.
Prosecutors highlighted that while the arsonists were motivated by financial gain, Earl and Reeves orchestrated the attack on behalf of Russia. Earl expressed his eagerness to carry out a series of missions for the Wagner Group, with the Leyton fire being just the initial operation.
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command emphasized the dangerous nature of the group’s actions, noting the severe risks posed to the public and the criminal activity carried out on behalf of Russia. The successful prosecution, according to Frank Ferguson from the Crown Prosecution Service, signifies a significant step in national security efforts.
The sentencing resulted in Earl receiving 17 years in prison with an additional six years on extended licence for his leading 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 was sentenced to nine years, and Ugnius Asmena was handed seven years in prison. Each individual was also given a further year on extended licence. This case marked the first convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the Wagner Group.
