Teen Sentenced for £2 Million Fire at London Oratory School

The 16-year-old, who started the blaze during a mental health crisis, has been given a referral order and apologized for his actions.

The fire at the London Oratory School in Fulham caused extensive damage to the library and science block, totaling £2 million.
The teenager, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to arson but was cleared of endangering life, as he was attempting to harm himself.
The incident led to significant disruption, with 1,105 pupils missing five days of school and 360 missing 13 days.
The school's library, containing 25,000 books, was destroyed and will remain closed until September 2025.
The court acknowledged the boy's remorse and low risk of reoffending, opting for a 10-month referral order over detention.