Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, Ukrainians and Romanians, set fires in London.

They were found guilty of plotting to damage property and reckless endangerment. The attacks occurred last May, targeting a Toyota Rav4 once owned by Sir Keir Starmer and two houses, including one occupied by the Prime Minister's sister-in-law.

The mastermind behind the attacks, an anonymous Russian speaker known as El Money, offered Lavrynovych £3,000 in cryptocurrency to film the blazes and get them on the news. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that the motivation was to cause concern, disruption, and fear for the Prime Minister, rather than an ideological motivation.

The court heard that Lavrynovych was first tasked by El Money to set light to the Toyota Rav4 on May 8 last year. He tried to rope in co-defendant Petro Pochynok to film it after approaching his friend Carpiuc. Three nights later, a blaze was reported at a house in nearby Ellington Street in Islington, which was managed by a company of which the Prime Minister had once been a director and shareholder.

Jurors were shown a video shot by Lavrynovych of a lit match being thrown onto accelerant on the doorstep of the address. A resident of the top-floor flat was woken by the smell of smoke about half-an-hour later and escaped to the roof to call the fire brigade. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said the fire spread to the hallway inside the building, posing an obvious risk to the occupants of the four flats.

In the early hours of May 12 last year, the Prime Minister's former home in Kentish Town was targeted. His sister-in-law, Judith Alexander, who lived there with her partner and daughter, described the terrifying experience in a statement. The attacks posed a serious threat to life and left householders terrified.

The convictions have raised concerns about the use of cryptocurrency in fueling crimes and the role of anonymous online taskers in orchestrating attacks. Commander Flanagan warned that those tempted by "easy cash" would face lengthy prison sentences. The case highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to prevent such attacks.

As the defendants await sentencing, the community remains on high alert, and the investigation continues to uncover the full extent of El Money's involvement. The incident has also sparked a debate about the security measures in place to protect public figures and their families. The guilty verdicts bring some relief to the victims, but the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to public safety and the need for continued efforts to prevent such attacks.

The use of cryptocurrency in this case has also raised questions about the regulation of digital currencies and the need for more effective measures to prevent their use in illicit activities. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the risk of online taskers orchestrating attacks and using cryptocurrency to fuel crimes is a growing concern. Law enforcement agencies must stay ahead of these threats and develop strategies to prevent and investigate such crimes.

In conclusion, the guilty verdicts in this case bring some closure to the victims, but the incident highlights the ongoing threats to public safety and the need for continued efforts to prevent such attacks. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, cooperation, and effective regulation to prevent the use of cryptocurrency in fueling crimes and to protect public figures and their families from harm.