Disgruntled resident threatened to torch Kensington Town Hall in housing row

Ako Ahmed threatened to burn down Kensington Town Hall
MPS
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A disgruntled man who doused himself in petrol and threatened to burn down Kensington Town Hall in a row over his housing problems is facing jail.  

Ako Ahmed, 45, made repeated threats to his housing officer before heading to the council offices in Kensington for a showdown.  

He poured petrol over himself and the floor before pulling out a lighter, while also threatening to kill one of the members of the staff.  

A heroic police officer managed to take the lighter from Ahmed before he had a chance to set anything on fire, Isleworth crown court heard.  

Ahmed – who claimed it was an attention-seeking stunt – was convicted of making a threat to kill and threatening to damage property at a first trial, and admitted attempting to commit arson midway through his re-trial on Wednesday.  

He is due to return to court on January 5 next year to be sentenced.  

Ahmed had a history of making threats to Kensington and Chelsea Council staff since July 2017, the court heard, including a December 2018 phone call where Ahmed told workers they would not see Christmas.  

In April 2018, Ahmed had complained of mice in his temporary home, saying he would stab the pests if the problem was solved with poison instead of traps.  

The arson incident happened on September 4 last year, when Ahmed – unhappy with his housing situation - arrived at the town hall at 11.30am and began shouting abuse at staff.  

He threatened to kill one worker, and said he would set fire to himself and burn the building down. 

DC Nigel Pacquette, from Belgravia CID, said one of the officers who rushed to the scene managed to stop the situation escalating further. 

“Those Ahmed targeted had been trying to help him, but unfortunately he lost sight of that and reacted in a way that could have resulted in grave injuries for everyone involved, himself included.  

“I’m thankful this wasn’t the case and would like to thank PC Stanley who bravely disarmed Ahmed of his lighter.

“If it hadn’t been for that officer’s actions, who put themselves in harm’s way, the result is unthinkable.”

Following his attempted arson conviction, senior CPS prosecutor Rita Ali said: “This outrageous display made in irritation by Ahmed had the potential to seriously harm a lot of innocent people inside Kensington Town Hall.

“Ahmed had made a series of appointments with his allocated housing officer. Having not been given the news he wanted to hear about his housing situation, he decided to take matters into his own hands.  

“He threatened to kill his housing officer and dousing himself in petrol before pulling out a lighter.

“In his defence, Ahmed agreed that his behaviour was attention-seeking. However, it was clear that Ahmed’s actions amounted to far more than simply attention-seeking and could have had grave consequences had the security guards not acted so quickly.  

“Council workers should not have to put up with this kind of behaviour in the course of their work serving the public. The CPS will always seek to prosecute those who threaten anyone carrying out their public duties.”

Ahmed, of no fixed address, has been remanded in custody until sentencing 

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