Two men took money from the Russian-backed Wagner terrorist group to firebomb a Mayfair restaurant and nearby wine store and kidnap the owner, a court has heard.

Dylan Earl, 21, and Jake Reeves, 23, have admitted taking cash from the notorious mercenary organisation to carry out an arson attack at the Hide Restaurant in Piccadilly and Hedonism Wines in Davies Street.

They were also planning to kidnap the owner in order to “influence the Government” for the “purpose of advancing a political and ideological cause”, the Old Bailey was told.

Details of the kidnap and bombing plot emerged as a group of men, allegedly recruited by the pair, went on trial accused of setting fire to a warehouse in east London that was storing and sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine.