Anti-migrant protester ‘threw Molotov cocktail’ at a hotel housing asylum seekers

CCTV footage captured the moment an anti-migrant protester hurled a Molotov cocktail at a hotel housing hundreds of asylum seekers.

Balaclava-clad Mark Neville, 65, was seen clutching a plastic bag close to his chest as he crouched down outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington on September 25 last year.

Neville lobbed the firebomb towards the hotel’s entrance, where it exploded near some bins but was quickly put out.

He was later caught with a lock knife five minutes from the hotel and a stun gun.

Gloves with DNA matching Neville’s recovered from a nearby bin revealed trace amounts of medium petroleum distillate (MPD), a flammable chemical used in the device.

Following his arrest, Neville admitted attending protests including an anti-migrant demo outside the hotel as well as events organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

He initially denied throwing the Molotov cocktail during his police interview, but said upon being shown the CCTV footage: ‘Go on then, f–k it, it was me.’

Tom Nicholson, prosecuting, said Neville had previously complained to a bartender at his local pub about asylum seekers, saying: ‘You know, these f—ing immigrants, they make me sick.’

He claimed they were taking jobs and mentioned the rape of a woman, the court heard.

The prosecutor said Neville’s feelings about migrants were relevant, adding: ‘We are suggesting it is the motivation behind the attack.’

Neville, of Pear Tree Street, Islington, admitted attempted arson being reckless as to endanger life, possession of the knife and possession of a prohibited weapon at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentence on a date to be fixed. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, whose team led the investigation, said: ‘Neville fire-bombed a hotel in an attack that was designed to terrify residents and the local community. His actions could easily have caused horrific injuries.

‘Officers immediately moved to identify him, track him down and arrest him, examining hundreds of hours of CCTV and gathering crucial evidence.

‘After he was arrested, he tried to deny his guilt, as officers uncovered overwhelming proof that he was motivated by hate. We remain resolute in our determination to protect Londoners and relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause fear and harm, bringing serious offenders to justice.’

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