A man has admitted setting fire to the mosque in Peacehaven but denied trying to harm anyone.
The mosque was occupied and lights were on when a fire was allegedly started with accelerant on its front steps on the night of Saturday 4 October last year.
On Friday (1 May), at the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, Ricky Ryder pleaded guilty to arson that was reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Ryder, 38, of Richington Way, Seaford, pleaded not guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life and two further charges of arson relating to the vehicles.
Jack Slowey, 34, of Mayfield Avenue, Peacehaven, pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
A case management hearing is due to take place at the Old Bailey on Friday 9 October.
The pair are scheduled to face a trial by jury starting on Tuesday 1 December at Kingston Crown Court.
Three other men have been arrested in relation to the fire at the mosque including a 38-year-old man, from Brighton, who was held on suspicion of malicious communication and criminal damage.
A 36-year-old man, from Eastbourne, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit arson.
And a 42-year-old man, from Saltdean, was held on suspicion of malicious communication and encouraging or assisting a crime as part of a group – contrary to section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007.
All three were released on bail until Tuesday 23 June.
Doesn’t every arson attack endanger lives?
Not always. But I think him trying to use that excuse here will not work, because he had no idea if people were in the building and this particular ignition meant it was a very clear possibility that someone could be hurt by his actions.
I beg to differ as someone has to extinguish the conflagration thus placing themselves in danger. Let us salute our brave firefighters.
Hopefully a very long prison sentence, these needless attack on our Jewish communities must stop.
I agree that a very clear message is needed that attacks fueled by hatred are not accepted in Brighton.
can you read -“A MOSQUE IN PEACEHAVEN” but why are there 800 muslims in a mosque in Peacehaven and an imam in Saltdean and 8500 muslims in Brighton and 3 mosques . The question is why are there 5m in 2000 UK mosques following a 7th century racist sexist anti semitic anti gay paedophile sex cult masquerading as a religion? Why does Starmer support them?
I can read, yes Frank. Which is why a very clear message is needed that attacks fueled by hatred are not accepted in Brighton.