Man convicted of petrol-bombing Islington migrant hotel

Mark Neville, 65, has been convicted of petrol-bombing a hotel in Islington that was housing migrants. The incident occurred on September 24, 2025, on Dingley Road. Neville pleaded guilty to attempted arson, possession of a bladed article, and possession of a prohibited weapon at Snaresbrook Crown Court on October 28.

The Attack and Investigation

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CCTV footage recorded Neville, dressed in dark clothing and a mask, lighting a petrol bomb in a doorway before throwing it over the gate of the hotel. A significant flash was visible as the projectile ignited upon impact. Security guards at the premises were able to extinguish the fire, and no individuals sustained injuries. Following the attack, Metropolitan Police launched an investigation, reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to track Neville from the scene to his residence. He was identified with the assistance of community information, a forensic fire dog named Simba which located a glove containing his DNA near the hotel, and DNA evidence from glass fragments of the petrol bomb.

Neville was arrested two days after the incident. During police interviews, he initially denied involvement, claiming he was visiting a friend. However, after being presented with the collected evidence, he admitted to being the person seen in the footage. Searches of his property revealed internet searches related to far-right activism and asylum seekers, suggesting a motivation driven by anti-immigration sentiment. Neville stated in interviews that friends had shared articles about immigration with him and that he had attended protests concerning the issue, including one outside the targeted hotel.

Consequences and Next Steps

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Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley stated that Neville's actions were intended to terrify residents and the local community, and could have resulted in severe injuries. He added that officers worked swiftly to identify, track, and arrest Neville, gathering substantial evidence. The hotel previously used to house migrants is no longer occupied for that purpose.