Sir Keir Starmer’s residence was the target of a firebomb attack orchestrated by arsonists, following an alleged offer of money from a mysterious Russian individual known only as ‘El Money’, a court was informed today.
Roman Lavrynovych stands accused of setting ablaze not only the Prime Minister’s family home but also his former vehicle and an additional property associated with the Labour leader. The court heard that Lavrynovych had developed a ‘good working relationship’ with a Russian user on the messaging platform Telegram, who purportedly offered substantial sums for arson assignments.
The series of arson incidents occurred in North London last May. Shortly after these attacks, the enigmatic Russian contact reportedly disappeared from communication. Before vanishing, he allegedly instructed the 22-year-old Ukrainian roofer and aspiring model, “You attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain.”
The anonymous figure further advised, “I’ll send you money; you must leave the city. Should the police apprehend you, discreetly write the word ‘geranium’ and I will send a lawyer to assist you.”
He added, “I’ll provide you with money for a week’s expenses and a new phone. We will not be in contact for a week.”
‘I’ll give you money for a week and a new phone. We won’t be in touch for a week’.
The Old Bailey heard today that Lavrynovych and his alleged accomplices, fellow Ukrainian Petro Pochynok, 35, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a 27–year–old Romanian, were promised ‘easy’ cash in a cryptocurrency account for pictures and videos of their attacks.
But the money never arrived.
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, is accused of setting fire to the Prime Minister’s family home, his former car and another property linked to the Labour leader
Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc, 27 allegedly conspired with two others to carry out the arson attacks in north London
Ukrainian Petro Pochynok, 35 is also among the accused – the trio were promised ‘easy’ cash in a cryptocurrency account for pictures and videos of their attacks
The Prime Minister’s sister–in–law was staying at his family home when Lavrynovych allegedly poured white spirit on the front door of the property, starting a blaze while they were asleep on May 12 last year.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson, KC, described how relatives were awoken by an explosion of flames: ‘His sister–in–law lives there with her family.
‘She heard loud bangs in the early hours of the morning and went to the window. She saw billowing smoke and fire at the front door.
‘At 1.10am she called the fire brigade.
‘She saw that smoke was coming through the front door and filling the stairs. She has asthma and was struggling to breathe. Her nine–year–old daughter had been woken by the smoke and was very frightened.’
No one was hurt in the attack.
Days earlier, Lavrynovych allegedly firebombed a Toyota RAV4 that Sir Keir had previously owned and a flat managed by a company which had listed Sir Keir as a director.
Yesterday jurors were shown an image said to be of Lavrynovych standing next to the burning car on May 8.
Police later found over 320 messages between El Money and Lavrynovych dating back to September 2024 when the Russian first sent him a photograph of the Toyota.
The court were shown pictures said to be of Lavrynovych shopping in B&Q for ‘accelerant’ materials days before the arson spree
The three defendants deny conspiracy to damage property by fire between April 1 and May 13 last year
Material from arson trial shown to the jury this morning is pictured. The three defendants have denied conspiracy to damage property by fire
But the real identity of the ‘El Money’ Telegram app user remains unknown as police recovered an ‘incomplete record’, with only ‘fragments’ of their deleted chat discovered.
Today the court were shown pictures said to be of Lavrynovych shopping in B&Q for ‘accelerant’ materials days before the arson spree.
Earlier, he had allegedly sent out messages on Instagram attempting to recruit others, promising they could get paid ‘£2,000 for setting fire to a car’, it was said.
Mr Atkinson said: ‘Three fires all involving property linked to the same person were beyond a coincidence.’
He added: ‘He must have intended to endanger, to risk, the lives of the people living inside those houses.
‘Why else would you set fire to the front door, blocking the residents’ escape?’
The court heard that El Money ‘directed’ the attacks, sending a ‘targeting pack’ with pictures of the targets encircled in red.
Mr Atkinson said Lavrynovych was not pressured by a ‘shadowy figure who threatened him and his family if he did not comply’, telling jurors: ‘The motivation for these activities was not fear, but financial reward.’
The three defendants deny conspiracy to damage property by fire between April 1 and May 13 last year.
Lavrynovych, of Lewisham, south–east London, also denies damaging two properties by fire with intent to endanger life on May 11 and 12 last year.
The trial continues.
