A man who attempted to burn down a hotel temporarily housing migrants last September pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday (28 October).
Mark Neville, 65, admitted to a charge of attempted arson, being reckless as to endanger life, after using a petrol bomb to target the hotel on Dingley Road, Islington, in London, on 24 September 2025.
A horrifying still image from the petrol bomb attack on the hotel released by the Metropolitan Police. Credit: Metropolitan Police.
A fast-moving police investigation resulted in Neville’s arrest in under 48 hours.
The 65-year-old had disposed of a glove containing his DNA in a bin close to the hotel, which a forensic fire dog identified, and intelligence from the local community also contributed to his swift arrest.
The Metropolitan Police described him as driven by hate, and his internet history included searches for far-right agitators and asylum seekers. During a police interview, he disclosed how friends would send him articles concerning immigration, and how he had attended a protest outside of the hotel he would attempt to burn down.
He also sought to deny his involvement until the police presented further evidence, to which he admitted to being the man in the footage, before continuing with “no comment” in his interview.
Neville, also from the Islington area, was further charged with possession of a bladed article and the possession of a prohibited weapon (a stun gun) in a private place, to which he also pleaded guilty.
Following his conviction, the police released horrifying footage of the petrol bomb attack, showing Neville dressed in black and wearing a mask, lighting the petrol bomb before throwing it over the gate and walking away.
Following the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, whose team led the investigation, stated in a press release: “Neville fire-bombed a hotel in an attack that was designed to terrify residents and the local community. His actions could easily have caused horrific injuries,” adding that, “Officers immediately moved to identify him, track him down and arrest him, examining hundreds of hours of CCTV and gathering crucial evidence.”
DCI Ridley added: “After he was arrested he tried to deny his guilt, as officers uncovered overwhelming proof that he was motivated by hate.
“We remain resolute in our determination to protect Londoners and relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause fear and harm, bringing serious offenders to justice.”