Man convicted of arson at London restaurant sentenced to five years prison

Ahmed Kawa, 35, was sentenced to five years in prison after setting fire to a restaurant in the City of London on 12 June 2025. Kawa, who has no fixed address, used a lighter to start a fire in a bag of rubbish outside Salotto 31, a wine bar on Lovat Lane. The flames spread to outdoor furniture and then into the building, causing £411,500 worth of damage. A nearby building belonging to the Antiquarian Horological Society also suffered damage costing nearly £77,000. CCTV cameras recorded Kawa starting the fire and leaving the scene, which helped secure his conviction at Inner London Crown Court. The restaurant's owners had spent ten years building the business. One owner said the incident had seriously affected their sleep and caused constant anxiety.