A 37-year-old Iraqi national, Rawand Abdulrahman, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for deliberately setting fires at two asylum seeker hotels in Essex. The attacks occurred in March 2025, with the first blaze at the Phoenix Hotel in North Weald causing extensive damage and forcing the evacuation of a hotel wing. Following relocation, Abdulrahman started a second fire a week later at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
Deliberate Hotel Fires
The fires posed serious risks to residents, including families with young children, according to Chelmsford Crown Court. Abdulrahman, a former sheep farmer with no previous convictions, was found guilty of two counts of arson, reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Significant Damage Caused
The initial fire at the Phoenix Hotel led to hundreds of thousands of pounds in damage and left part of the building uninhabitable. The subsequent fire at the Bell Hotel, although smaller, further alarmed the community and authorities.
Sentence And Deportation Risk
Abdulrahman must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Officials have also indicated he faces potential deportation after release.
