Three charged with arson on Persian media offices in London

Three people have appeared in court charged over the attempted arson attack at the offices of a Persian language media organisation in north-west London.

An ignited container was thrown towards the Volant Media building in Park Royal at about 20:30 BST on Wednesday, but landed in a car park where the fire quickly went out.

Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy appeared side-by-side in the dock at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

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

The charge stated the amount of damage caused to the grounds of Volant Media was "unknown".

There were no reports of any damage or injuries following the attempted attack.

Police said the suspects left the area in a black four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Two nearby buildings had been evacuated as a precaution, but were quickly reopened after police confirmed there was no wider risk to the public.

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

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 each ordered to next appear in custody at the Old Bailey for a pre-trial preparation hearing on the same date.