Three admit arson attack at Persian media company’s UK base

Two men and a teenage boy have admitted taking part in an arson attack on the UK office of a Persian media company.

On 15 April, the offices of Volant Media, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International, were allegedly targeted.

Police had been alerted after an “ignited container” was thrown towards the site in Wembley, north-west London, landing in a car park where the fire immediately went out.

There were no injuries and the suspects left the area in a black four-wheel-drive vehicle, police had said.

Nathan Dunn, 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of arson being “reckless as to whether life is endangered” on 15 April.

During an Old Bailey hearing on Friday, a 17-year-old boy denied that charge but admitted the lesser alternative offence of arson.

The prosecution indicated his plea was not accepted and he faces a trial on February 1 next year.

Previously, the driver of the car, Oisin McGuinness, 21, had pleaded guilty to arson, which was accepted by the Crown.

He has also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in north-west London on the same date and possession of the class A drug cocaine.

McGuinness and Dunn, both from Watford, Hertfordshire, have been remanded into custody.

The youth, who cannot be identified, is remanded into local authority care.