Two men jailed over Starmer-linked arson attacks

Two men have been jailed for conspiring to carry out arson attacks targeting property and a car connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych 22, was jailed for seven years while Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at the Old Bailey.

The attacks were ordered on behalf of Russia, the BBC has revealed.

Lavrynovych had carried out the attacks after being recruited by Russian-speaking Telegram user"EL" who promised him payment. He had previously been hired by the same unknown figure to put up far-right posters.

The judge, Mr Justice Garnham, described Lavrynovych as a "useful idiot" who could be easily manipulated.

He said he had been "easily bought" and "accepted the job as you had accepted other grubby little tasks".

Carpiuc played a "supporting role" in the attacks, which the judge branded "utterly reckless".

The court heard a Toyota once owned by Sir Keir was set on fire in a street in north London in May last year.

Days later two homes were set alight, including one rented out to the prime minister's sister-in-law Judith Alexander, which he still owned.

She told the trial of the billowing black smoke going up the stairs while she, her daughter and partner were in the house.

Lavrynovych and Carpiuc were found guilty at the court on Monday.

Lavrynovych was also convicted of alternate counts of damaging property by fire being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He was acquitted of damaging property by fire with intent to endanger life.

A third man, Petro Pochynok, 35, was found not guilty of the conspiracy charge.

After carrying out the arson, "EL" contacted Lavrynovych on 12 May telling him he would get crypto and urging him to throw away his clothes.

He then urged him to leave the city but was arrested hours later after officers stormed his Sydenham home.

In his police interview he said he had no idea who the prime minister was and had not heard of Keir Starmer.

James Scobie KC, representing Lavrynovych, said he was a "complete and utter foot soldier" and "fodder for this type of infiltration".

He said Lavryovych is remorseful, telling the court of the "shame he has brought on the family in Ukraine".

He told the court that a message from"EL" had made clear that damaging the front door was enough, as long as it generated media coverage.

Carpiuc was arrested on 17 May at Luton Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Romania.

Carpiuc's barrister Shahid Rashid said he had only been "the money man" and was not going to get anything out of the crimes.

He added: "His motivation was helping a friend out who needed money desperately for his father's medical treatment."

Carpiuc's father told the BBC outside court they thought the sentencing was unfair as "EL" had not been caught or punished.

Lavrynovych's mother, who asked not to be named, said she felt "heartbroken and ashamed".

She added: "Roman's poor health impacted his intelligence from the very early age, and I've tried hard to protect him from bad people. But he is so naive.

"I wish my son was better sent to Ukraine, to defend our country on the frontline."

Speaking outside court, Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said Lavryovych and Carpiuc had been "incredibly reckless".

She said: "Crimes, such as arson, being directed by anonymous online accounts promising payment, is a recurring trend in our casework."