A man has been convicted of petrol-bombing a hotel housing migrants in Islington, following a fast-paced Met investigation which used CCTV to track him from the scene to the door of his flat.

Mark Neville pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 28 October.

Officers were called to reports of a fire in Dingley Road, Islington at 22:53hrs on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. It was quickly put out by security guards and thankfully no one was injured.

In the following hours, detectives worked quickly to secure CCTV – which showed a masked man, dressed all in black, lighting a petrol bomb and throwing it over a gate and towards the hotel entrance.

Over the following day officers tracked the man on CCTV from the scene of the crime to the door of his flat. He was identified with the help of the local community and a forensic fire dog, who found a glove with his DNA in a bin close to the hotel.

Within two days of the attack, on Friday, 26 September, detectives arrested Mark Neville, 65 (20.03.1961), of Pear Tree Street, Islington.

Searches of his flat found evidence that he was likely motivated by hate and specifically anger at immigration, including internet searches on far right activism and asylum seekers.

He was charged with arson with intent to endanger life, criminal damage and other offences on the same day.

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.”

The Investigation

The fire took place in the grounds of a hotel in Dingley Road, Islington that was being used to house migrants. It is no longer in use for that purpose.

CCTV showed a man throwing a flaming projectile over a temporary gate into the entrance of the hotel.

Detectives responded quickly, reviewing hundreds of hours of footage and securing a clear photo of the suspect as he walked to and from the scene.

Local residents were able to identify Neville from the image. His identity was confirmed by specialist forensic teams, who linked his DNA to the glass fragments of the petrol bomb.

His DNA was also found on a glove he tried to dispose of in a nearby bin. It was found thanks to London Fire Brigade forensic fire dog Simba, a nine-year-old springer spaniel.

Neville was arrested less than two days later.

In police interview, Neville stated that his friends often sent him articles about immigration and that he had attended marches relating to this, including one outside the hotel he had targeted.

But despite the overwhelming evidence placing him at the scene, Neville continued to deny his involvement. This included claiming he was visiting a friend who had been diagnosed with dementia.

A review of the devices found at his flat identified searches and messages relating to far-right activists, migration and asylum seekers.

After being confronted with this additional evidence, Neville finally admitted he was the person in the footage – before conducting a “no comment” interview.

Neville was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 28 October of:

• Attempted arson being reckless as to endanger life
• Possession of a bladed article
• Possession of a prohibited weapon (a stun gun) in a private place