Fourth suspect remanded as £1m Jewish ambulance arson case heads to Old Bailey

**TL;DR** Four suspects remain in custody after the torching of four Jewish community ambulances caused £1 million in damage, with all due at the Old Bailey on 24 April.

## Context On 23 March, volunteers from Hatzola, a Jewish‑run ambulance service that aids anyone in need, found four of their vehicles ablaze in Golders Green. Exploding gas canisters turned the blaze into a £1 million loss. Police linked the fire to a suspected hate‑motivated attack and arrested three men and a teenager in early April. A fourth suspect, Judex Atshatshi, 18, was detained after counter‑terrorism officers searched two east‑London addresses and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, where he was remanded.

Hatzola began in New York City in the 1960s and now operates an augmented ambulance service in Hasidic neighbourhoods while responding to calls from anyone, free of charge. An Orthodox Jewish councillor in Greater Manchester noted that the service helps all residents, regardless of faith, even on the Sabbath.

## Key Facts The Crown Prosecution Service’s head of special crime and counter‑terrorism, Frank Ferguson, said investigators worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s counter‑terrorism command. He reminded the public that the defendants retain the right to a fair trial and urged against any online commentary that could prejudice the proceedings.

All four defendants—Hamza Iqbal, Rehan Khan, a 17‑year‑old dual British‑Pakistani national, and Judex Atshatshi—are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on 24 April. The arson caused approximately £1 million in damage to the ambulances, according to prosecutors.

## What It Means The case’s transfer from magistrates’ court to a crown court trial signals the seriousness with which authorities treat alleged hate‑motivated violence against emergency services. A conviction could lead to substantial custodial sentences and reinforce legal protections for faith‑based volunteer groups.

Community leaders have stressed that Hatzola’s volunteer crews continue to respond to emergencies while the investigation proceeds, underscoring the service’s role as a lifeline for all residents.

Watch for the Old Bailey hearing on 24 April, where pleas will be entered and the trial timetable set.