Arsonist told to watch spy drama by Russian mercenary group before fire, court told

Sky News

2 days ago

A man who has admitted to aggravated arson at a Ukraine-linked warehouse was told to watch a Cold War spy drama as his "manual", the Old Bailey has heard.
The Russian mercenary Wagner group allegedly recommended that Dylan Earl, 20, "please see" The Americans - a show where undercover spies carry out dangerous missions for the Soviet Union - to "understand" the work better, the jury was told.
Prosecutors say that Earl was "knowingly acting at the behest" of Wagner - a private military contractor linked to Russia, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation - who "commissioned the arson attack" in Leyton, East London, on 20 March 2024.
The arson attack took place at an industrial unit supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine, and caused around £1m of damage.
Earl pleaded guilty to arson and 'preparatory conduct' - actively planning a crime - after being arrested in April last year.
Before his arrest, the prosecution says Earl, on behalf of Wagner Group, also planned arson attacks on two businesses - a wine shop called Hedonism, and a restaurant called HIDE - in Mayfair, as well as the kidnap of the businesses' owner, a Russian dissident.
The Americans
The jury was told Earl had been sent details about the TV spy drama on 19 March - the day before the arson attack.
Duncan Penny KC, prosecuting, said Earl had been tasked by Telegram user Privet Bot to watch the show.
"Will you please see the serial Americans", one message read.
"I recommend to watch it in order to understand work", read another.
The next day - the day of the fire - other messages from 'Privet Bot' invited Earl to form a "movement", which it would offer "support" to.
The messages also urged Earl to "watch this [The Americans] series" - adding "it will be your manual".
Ashton Evans
Mr Penny said Earl subsequently sent a message on Snapchat to one of the defendants, Ashton Evans, on 28 March 2024 with two words: "The Americans".
The prosecution claims Earl was giving Evans a similar instruction to watch the show.
Evans, 20, who is charged with failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, was in contact with Earl, "the architect of these offences", across three messaging platforms: iMessage chat, Snapchat and Signal, the court heard.
He is accused of being aware of the Leyton arson before it occurred, the Mayfair plots and knowing that Earl was acting on the instructions of the Wagner Group.
Evans admitted using the name 'Alexander Solonik' on Signal, Mr Penny said, explaining that the individual was reputed to be a Russian gangster, known for his reputation as a notorious hitman in the Russian criminal underworld.
Kidnap plot
Citing messages between Evans and Earl on 26 March 2024, Mr Penny said Evans had messaged to ask for details about the kidnap plot.
"Send deets", Mr Penny read from the court bundle, quoting Evans, "they only paying 40k for a man worth a billion".
The reference to "a man worth a billion", Mr Penny explained, is likely to be to the owner of Hide and Hedonism.
The court heard that Earl and Evans exchanged further messages about the Mayfair plot on 30 March 2024, and Earl had explained it was a "wine shop" with "20 million pounds of stock".
Another message read: "Obviously maybe only 1-2 million damnged (sic) but it be insured".
"The thing is", another message acknowledged, "There's houses above", around "120ft nbove (sic)", and so recommended: "maybe we find a way so no one harmed."
"But clean only bro", the prosecution quoted Earl texting, "Because there will be a good amount of heat after this it will be on every news channel and radio in our country".
Four other men are on trial at the Old Bailey - Nii Kojo Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, both from Thornton Heath, South London, Paul English, 61, from Roehampton, South London, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, of no fixed abode - deny aggravated arson.
Ashton Evans and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 22, both from Newport, Gwent, deny failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.
Duncan Penny KC, prosecuting, told the court the defendants "may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial - good old-fashioned greed".