Parviz Mashayekhi, 46, a businessman from Kensigton, was accused of trying to burn down a casino, after he lost 40,000 pounds playing roulette. According to the police report, he was trying to set on fire the Connoisseur Club in the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, west London, by pouring petrol over the croupier and other staff members and on some of the gaming tables. Afterwards he threatened to light the petrol with a lighter. Then he was caught by the security guards and arrested by the police.
Mashayekhi appeared in court Monday morning, wearing tracksuit pants and a white shirt, to face his charges of an attempt to destroy a casino and endangering life. His only words to the West London Magistrates were a confirmation of his details. Mashayekhi will remain in custody pending until its next hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court due on January 9.
