Leicester Square Stabbing Attack: Man Charged in Court

Ioan Pintaru, a 32-year-old Romanian national, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, charged with the stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square. The incident occurred on Monday morning in the heart of London's bustling tourist area.

Court Appearance

Pintaru, who was also charged with possession of a bladed article, specifically a steak knife, appeared in court wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt. The charges were read to him through an interpreter, as he does not speak English fluently.

The court was informed that Pintaru is a Romanian citizen with no fixed address. During the brief 10-minute hearing, prosecutor David Burns described the brutal nature of the attack, stating that Pintaru had approached the young girl, placed her in a headlock, and stabbed her eight times, causing serious injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck.

Incident Details

The attack took place in Leicester Square, a major tourist hub in central London, near the TWG Tea shop, adjacent to the Lego store, and in front of the M&Ms store. The 11-year-old girl was in the area with her 34-year-old mother as tourists when the attack occurred.

Members of the public, including a shop security guard, intervened to stop the assault, preventing further injuries to the child. Police arrived promptly and found Pintaru being restrained by the brave individuals who had stepped in. A knife was found in his possession upon his arrest.

The young girl was rushed to the hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment, including plastic surgery for her injuries. Thankfully, her injuries, while serious, are not life-threatening.

Community Response

Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah commended the courage of the members of the public who intervened, praising their bravery and highlighting the strong sense of community in London. "This is a horrific incident, and our thoughts are with the victims and their family. We will continue to provide support to them over the coming days and weeks," she said.

Police have confirmed that the attack is not believed to be terror-related, and there is no indication that Pintaru and the victims knew each other.

Next Court Appearance

Pintaru has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on September 10, where he will face further proceedings.

Leicester Square, known for its shops, theatres, cinemas, and restaurants, attracts approximately 2.5 million visitors each week. This shocking incident has left many in the area shaken, but the quick response of bystanders and authorities has been widely praised.