British teens who set Indian restaurant on fire in London jailed for 10 years

Two 17-year-old teenagers have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a planned arson attack on an Indian restaurant in London in which five diners suffered devastating burns after petrol was spread around the premises and the attackers set it alight.

The attack occurred on August 22, 2025, when the teens, armed with swords and knives, stormed the Indian Aroma restaurant.

During the hearing on Friday at the Old Bailey criminal court, prosecutors said that while the teenagers controlled the entrance, a third person moved towards the rear of the restaurant and poured petrol across the floor and tables.

The attackers then moved outside, keeping the door mostly closed before a burning piece of paper triggered an explosion.

The judge described the incident as a "sophisticated and professional operation" involving a high degree of planning. He said the teenagers knew the attack could cause "serious harm, up to and including death, to complete strangers."

"You did so with cold blood," the judge told them, adding that he believed they were acting under the direction of an older and more experienced criminal who has not been identified.

The teenagers had earlier been convicted of arson with intent to endanger life and possessing a bladed article. They were given extended sentences comprising 10 years in custody followed by an extended three-year period.

The court heard that eight customers were inside the restaurant when the attack began, with prosecutors saying the diners were left "frozen in terror".

The petrol was spread around the restaurant, including on chairs occupied by customers, before the attackers withdrew and ignited the fire.

The group escaped in a stolen car after setting the restaurant alight. Six London Fire Brigade vehicles and crews were sent to the scene.

The attack left diners with severe and life-changing injuries.

One woman suffered burns covering half of her body, with 45 per cent of her total body surface area affected by full-thickness burns. Her clothes had melted into her skin and she was placed in a medically induced coma.

Her husband suffered mixed-depth burns across 51 per cent of his body. He was seen running from the restaurant while on fire and later said he woke up 45 days after the attack.

Another diner spoke of the "agonising physical pain" suffered during the attack.

The judge told the teenagers that the victims had endured "agonising and life-changing injuries", adding that the consequences could have been even worse.

Following the incident, Indian Aroma has been permanently closed.