GRENFELL PRANKSTERS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES
Bonfire sickos targeted by vigilantes
THE men who burned an effigy of Grenfell Tower say their lives are in danger because of it.
Bobbi Connell, 19, his dad Clifford Smith, 49, and neighbour Paul Bussetti, 46, handed themselves in after the recording was brought to light.
Mark Russell, 49, is also among the men in the video – and could be seen smirking as flames engulfed the side of the cardboard tower on Sunday.
Mr Bussetti’s family have denied any of the men are racist – and said they are “in so much danger” after the stunt “got out of hand” and went viral online.
One relative said: “They didn’t want it to go this far. It’s not what it was. They are not racist. It’s been blown out of proportion.
“It was horrible what they’ve done. They are going to be paying now, aren’t they?”
Slammed
Meanwhile, Bobbi’s grandad David Connell slammed the footage as being in “dreadfully bad taste”.
The video, which was filmed in Clifford’s south London garden, shows the crowd as they burn a replica of the doomed tower, before jeering: “Stay in your flat,” as it goes up in flames.
Police officers were pictured searching the home in South Norwood yesterday.
After leaving the house, officers searched bins outside and also knocked on neighbours’ doors.
Evidence of a fire could be seen in the back garden of the house as well as an England flag.
A similar flag could be seen behind the Grenfell model in the online video.
It is understood that all five men – aged 19 to 55 – were being questioned at Croydon Custody Centre.
Theresa May also slammed the video, tweeting: “To disrespect those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower, as well as their families and loved ones, is utterly unacceptable.”
Police investigating the inferno that claimed 71 lives also called the video “vile” and “callous”. IN VIDEO: Russell