Starmer arson accused refused to film attack, court told

Starmer arson accused refused to film attack, court told9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleTom BealandDaniel De Simone,Investigations correspondentMetropolitan PoliceSir Keir Starmer's former Toyota car was set alight in May 2025A Ukrainian man accused of conspiring to set fire to a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer has told a court that he refused to film the attack despite an alleged accomplice "begging" him to.Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc , 27, is on trial alongside Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35.They deny targeting two properties and a car linked to the prime minister in May 2025.All three, who live in London, are charged with conspiring together - and "with others" - to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025. They deny the charges.Giving evidence, Carpiuc told the Old Bailey that his friend Lavrynovych carried out the first alleged arson attack for "money' - and that he had tried to persuade him not to do it.A Toyota previously owned by Sir Keir was set alight on 8 May 2025 in a street where he once lived. Lavrynonych admits starting the fire.In his evidence Carpiuc said that Lavrynovych "wanted to set fire to the car and he also wanted me to make a video". Carpiuc said that when Lavrynovych told him of this plan he replied that it was "pure stupidity".Carpiuc said he "explained to him that walking around in the streets of the city setting fire to cars is not a good idea - it's a very serious crime".He said Lavrynovych then told him that he wouldn't set fire to the car but would break one of its windows. Carpiuc told the court he also rejected any involvement in this plan, but passed on contact details for Pochynok.Metropolitan PoliceThe three men charged (from left to right): Petro Pochynok, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav CarpiucAddressing the court through a Russian translator, Carpiuc said he knew Lav...