Fire bombing of migrant hotel

CCTV footage captured the moment an anti-migrant protestor hurled a Molotov cocktail at a hotel housing up to 500 asylum seekers.

Balaclava-clad Mark Neville, 65, is seen clutching a plastic bag close to his chest as he crouched down outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington on 25 September last year.

Neville lobs the firebomb towards the hotel’s entrance, where it exploded near some bins but was quickly put out.

Jurors heard Neville was arrested two days later and initially denied throwing the Molotov cocktail during his police interview, but said upon being shown the CCTV footage: ‘Go on then, f–k it, it was me.’

Prosecutor Tom Nicholson said Neville had previously complained to a bartender at his local pub about asylum seekers, saying: ‘You know, these f–king immigrants, they make me sick.’

Mr Nicholson told jurors: ‘He was intoxicated at the time so you will have to decide if he intended to endanger life.’

The prosecutor said Neville’s feelings about migrants were relevant, adding: ‘We are suggesting it is the motivation behind the attack.’

Neville admitted attending protests including an anti-migrant demo outside the hotel as well as events organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Neville denies arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He fell ill during his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court and he will now return for a retrial on 12 April next year.

Neville remains in custody.