Dylan Earl, who admitted his role in an arson attack on a warehouse storing aid and Starlink satellite equipment for Ukraine, has been ordered to pay more than £160,000 to the victims.
The 22-year-old admitted aggravated arson and an offence under the National Security Act after fire destroyed industrial units in Leyton, east London, on March 20, 2024. The damage was estimated at about £1 million.
The warehouse was targeted by the terrorist Wagner Group because it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and Starlink satellite equipment to Ukraine. Earl was one of six young men said to have worked as proxies for the group and was convicted of taking part in what was described as a planned campaign of terrorism and sabotage in the interests of the Russian state.
Earl was arrested in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Videos showing the warehouse fire being started were later found on his iPhone.
Police searching his home recovered a Russian flag, more than £20,000 in cash and cocaine hydrochloride with a street value of £34,000. Evidence found on his phone also revealed details of a cryptocurrency account holding more than £58,000, as well as images of bundles of cash estimated to total £175,000.
The court was told that Earl had pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property in the form of cash found at his home and to possessing the class A drug cannabis with intent to supply.
Last October, the drug dealer from Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, was jailed for 17 years, followed by a further six years on extended licence, for his leading role in the terrorist activities.
Earl returned to the Old Bailey on Friday for a confiscation hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC. He appeared by videolink from Whitemoor jail in Cambridgeshire.
Prosecutor Adam Payter said an investigation had found that Earl’s ill-gotten gains totalled £698,816.18. However, the money available for seizure by the court amounted to £164,301.13, including cryptocurrency held by Earl.
Judge Lucraft ordered the full available amount to be confiscated and paid as compensation to the victims of the arson attack.
Meest UK Ltd was awarded £163,521. The owner of Neck Stamper brewery, which occupied a neighbouring unit also damaged by the fire, was awarded £780.
The judge ordered the money to be paid within three months. If it is not paid, Earl faces a default penalty of 18 months in prison.
