A 17-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to arson following an attack on a synagogue in north-west London.
The teenager, a British national from Brent, admitted arson not endangering life at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
He has not been named because of his age.
The boy smashed a window at the synagogue before lighting a bottle and throwing it inside, the judge was told.
In a written summary of the case, District Judge Nina Tempia was told CCTV footage showed the defendant climbing over the boundary wall at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday.
He “appeared to throw something at a window to break it, before lighting an object with his left hand and throwing it with his right hand through the window”, the judge was told.
The 17-year-old then fled the scene. Two other suspects are outstanding in the investigation, the court heard.
The judge was told the boy provided a prepared statement, in which he admitted he threw the bottle. The statement continued: “I have no hate towards the Jewish people of their community. I didn’t know it was a synagogue. I genuinely thought it was an empty building.
“I had no intention of hurting anyone as nobody was in the building. I am very sorry for my actions.”
Footage was posted online appearing to show a figure in dark clothing setting light to a bottle of liquid and throwing it through a window at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow late on Saturday.
Jewish charity the Community Security Trust said minor smoke damage to an internal room was caused but there were no injuries or significant structural damage.
At the short hearing, the 17-year-old, who was flanked by two security officers in the dock, spoke only to confirm his personal details and to plead guilty to the charge.
Two family members, including his mother, sat in seats in front of the dock.
District Judge Nina Tempia freed the youth on bail with conditions including to live and sleep at his home address and to not enter any synagogue.
She told the defendant: “I’m going to grant you bail so that you can be released today.
“If you breach these bail conditions you will be arrested by the police.”
The boy is due to be appear at Willesden Youth Court on June 4.
A 19-year-old man who was also arrested after the attack has been released on bail pending further inquiries, the Metropolitan Police said.
