Second man in court over arson at former synagogue

A second man has appeared in court charged over an alleged arson attack at a former synagogue in 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.

Dominic Charles-Turner, 31, from Leyton, east London, is charged with arson with intent to endanger life at the ex-synagogue on Nelson Street. He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court at the Old Bailey on 5 June.

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

Moses Edwards, 45, from Wanstead, east London, who was previously charged with arson with intent to endanger life in relation to the incident, is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on the same day.

A 52-year-old woman who was also arrested in connection with the blaze was released on bail until August.

The former synagogue is in the process of being bought by a Muslim community group with plans to convert it to a mosque and community centre.

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

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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