CCTV footage plays its part in capturing London arsonist pair

Jailed for starting blaze at care home in east London with fireworks – vehicle captured on CCTV

Jail terms have been handed out to two men who threw a firework into a care home in east London, which left one woman fighting for her life. CCTV images captured at the time of the incident helped the police to track down the pair, which has led to their convictions.

Both men, aged 23 and from Bethnal Green, pleaded guilty to acting recklessly and endangering life with the intention to destroying or damaging property.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court, Aktaruz Jaman Khan was jailed for seven years and Sabbir Ahmed was given a six year jail sentence.

The two men were jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court, east London © Copyright Nigel Cox and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The incident happened on November 13 last year at around 1am. The two men threw a Roman Candle style of firework into the Lynnwood Care Home, Barking. The firework started a fire on the ground floor flat in which one of the women living at the home was sleeping.

Donna Stringer, aged 43, is in a wheelchair and suffers from learning difficulties and receives care at the home.

Donna was taken to hospital and was in a critical condition, suffering from severe burns to her neck and arms. She was affected by the smoke in her room causing internal injuries.

She has been left without the full use of her hands and feelings of discomfort from the scar tissue.

Det Sgt Karl Dines said: “Donna and her family have a tough time ahead but my investigators found these cowards and have brought them to justice.”

CCTV cameras captured a vehicle on the street before the incident throwing fireworks at houses. Detectives were able to identify the vehicle as a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, even though the CCTV images were taken in poor lighting. After cross-referencing the registration, the police were led to Khan and Ahmed, who were both named as drivers on the insurance policy.

Ahmed was arrested at his home last December and Khan handed himself in six days after.

Please click here for more information regarding our CCTV installation services in London.