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Second man charged over arson at former synagogue

Harry LowLondon
PA Media A close-up of a red brick building featuring an arched entrance with a Star of David and the years 1923 and 5684 inscribed above the door. A blue sign for the "East London Central Synagogue" is mounted on the wall. To the right of the entrance is a tall, padlocked metal gate topped with a weathered blue gabled roof.PA Media
The building ceased operating as a synagogue in 2020

A second man has been charged by counter-terrorism police investigating an arson attack at a former synagogue in east London.

Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the former East London Central Synagogue building in Whitechapel on 12 May. No-one was injured.

Dominique Charles-Turner, 31, who was arrested at an address in Leyton, east London, on Tuesday, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later on Thursday.

The suspected arson follows a series of attacks and attempted attacks on the Jewish community in recent weeks.

The fire was reported at about 05:15 BST and the Met said CCTV inquiries indicated it was started intentionally.

PA Media Two forensic investigators wearing light blue protective suits, face masks, and blue hairnets stand on a pavement behind blue and white police cordon tape. Blue road barriers are visible in the background.PA Media
Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation

Because of the nature and location of the incident, the investigation has been led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, Scotland Yard said.

The building is in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation.

Moses Edwards, 45, of Wanstead, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with arson with intent to endanger life and was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on 5 June.

A 52-year-old woman who was also arrested has been released on bail until August.

Since late March there have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated by police as an act of terrorism.

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