Three in court over attempted arson attack at Persian media company in London

Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy appeared together in the dock at Westminster magistrates court on Friday charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The Metropolitan police said officers on patrol were told at about 8.30pm on Wednesday that an “ignited container” had been thrown towards the site in Wembley, landing in a car park where the fire immediately went out.

The offices of Volant Media, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International, were targeted.

The charge says the amount of damage caused to the grounds of Volant Media is “unknown”.

There were no injuries and the suspects left the area in a black four-wheel-drive vehicle, police said.

A number of nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution but police assessed there was no wider risk.

McGuinness has also been charged with dangerous driving in north-west London on the same date as the attempted arson.

The three British nationals spoke only to confirm their personal details in the hearing.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to the care of a local authority with conditions and will next appear at the Old Bailey on 15 May for a preliminary hearing.

McGuinness and Dunn, both of Watford, Hertfordshire, were ordered to appear at the Old Bailey for a pre-trial preparation hearing on the same date.