Sunday 21 March 2021

Town Hall Petrol Protester Jailed

A local homeless man, who emptied a petrol can inside Kensington Town Hall while threatening to set himself and the building ablaze, has been caged.

Ako Ahmed, 45, who was in a housing dispute with the council, splashed petrol in the reception area and pulled out a lighter before police intervened.

At Isleworth Crown Court he received four years imprisonment for making threats to kill and threatening to damage property.

A jury acquitted Ahmed of attempting to commit arson, with intent to endanger life.

At around 11.30am on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 Ahmed attended Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street and began shouting at staff.

He poured petrol on the floor of the reception area and all over himself.

Ahmed took out a lighter before threatening to kill a named employee as well as everyone in the building by burning it down.

Police were called and upon their arrival Ahmed was disarmed of his lighter by an officer. 

He was arrested on suspicion of arson and threats to kill and was later charged and remanded in custody.

During the trial, the court heard how Ahmed had been involved in a dispute with the council about his housing situation.

Detective Constable Nigel Pacquette of Belgravia CID, who led the investigation, said: “Ahmed had lost sight of the fact that he was attacking the very people who were trying to help him. 

“His actions could have resulted in serious injury to everyone present, including himself.

“I’m thankful this wasn’t the case and applaud the officer who bravely disarmed Ahmed of his lighter.

“Had it not been for the actions of responding officers who placed themselves in harm’s way, the outcome of this incident could have been far more sinister.”

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