A Ukrainian man accused of carrying out arson attacks on two homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer, allegedly on the orders of a mysterious Russian-speaking contact, has told a jury he needed money to support his sick father.
Defendant's Testimony
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, is alleged to have set fire to a car and two houses in north London in May last year in exchange for cryptocurrency promised by a Telegram user known as 'EL Money'. One blaze on May 12 targeted a property where the Prime Minister previously lived and where his sister-in-law now resides. A Toyota RAV4, formerly owned by Sir Keir before being sold to a neighbour, was set alight on the same street on May 9. Another fire occurred on May 11 at the front door of another property once managed by the Labour leader.
Giving evidence at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Lavrynovych said he arrived in the UK on February 22, 2022, two days before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. He worked in construction, removals, and at a hotel but needed extra money to send home for his father's medical treatment. The defendant stated that El Money first contacted him at the end of 2024 on a Telegram group used by thousands of job seekers. He became interested in the job offers because they were 'good' and he needed funds.
Under questioning from his defence barrister, James Scobie KC, Lavrynovych explained his financial strain despite being employed, saying, 'Because I wanted to help out my dad because of his health issues.' He told jurors he did not know El Money's location or origin, only that the contact spoke both Russian and Ukrainian. When asked about his father's current condition, he replied, 'He is not 100 per cent well, but he is better.'
Previous Tasks and Arrest
The court heard that El Money had previously asked Lavrynovych to put up posters, which he did for payment via PayPal. Lavrynovych admitted he had wondered about El Money's identity but continued due to his need for cash. He is on trial alongside Petro Pochynok, 35, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, all from London, who deny conspiracy to damage property by fire between April 1 and May 13 last year. Lavrynovych also denies two counts of damaging property by fire with intent to endanger life.
Police arrested Lavrynovych at his home in Sydenham, south-east London, on May 13, hours after the last blaze. Officers found trainers with traces of turpentine substitute, a petrol can, and a bottle of white spirit bearing his DNA. In police interviews, he initially denied involvement but later claimed someone had asked him to carry out the attacks. He told officers, 'I think you need to speak to a different person,' but refused to name them.
Lavrynovych stated that in spring 2024, Carpiuc advertised a handyman job on a group for Ukrainians, which he took on weekends. He became friends with Carpiuc, who introduced him to Pochynok in April 2025. Before the first fire on May 8, he had only met Pochynok once. The trial continues.
