G20 protester guilty of bank attack

A G20 summit demonstrator was behind bars today after trying to burn down a bank at the height of clashes with police.

Lithuanian Mindaugus Lenartavicius first helped fellow activists through a broken window at the Royal Bank of Scotland branch before pulling out a cigarette lighter.

Witnesses saw him repeatedly flicking it alight to set window blinds on fire in the Threadneedle Street building near the Bank of England.

The bearded 21-year-old was one of a number arrested as images of the attack and vandalism during the mass demonstrations in the City were beamed around the world.

Speaking through a translator, Lenartavicius, who lived in a squat on the North Circular Road in Palmers Green, north London, admitted one count of arson on April 1 this year.

A not guilty plea was accepted to a similar charge which accused him of "being reckless as to whether life was endangered".

Adjourning sentence and remanding him in custody until October 23, Southwark Crown Court judge Gregory Stone QC said he needed the benefit of a psychiatric report before dealing with him.