A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder following the stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square.
Police rushed to the London tourist hotspot on Monday morning following reports of an incident near the TWG Tea shop, which is beside the Lego store and in front of the M&Ms store, at around 11.30am.
The 11-year-old victim was found with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital where her injuries, while serious, were assessed as non-life threatening.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt. The court heard the 32-year-old is a Romanian citizen of no fixed address.
Prosecutor David Burns said the child and her mother were in Leicester Square as tourists when she was stabbed eight times with a steak knife. He added: “I understand that she required plastic surgery for the injuries she sustained.”
It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt – however, it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
Key Points
- Man appears in court charged with attempted murder of girl, 11, in Leicester Square
- Girl stabbed ‘eight times with steak knife’ in Leicester Square attack that left her needing plastic surgery
- Man charged with attempted murder
No suggestion incident was terror-related
22:44
Alex Ross
Police said on Monday that there was no suggestion the incident was terror-related, and officers do not believe the suspect and the victims were known to each other.
Leicester Square and the surrounding area attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors every week and is home to shops, theatres, cinemas and restaurants.
The stabbing happened near the TWG Tea shop, which is beside the Lego store and in front of the M&Ms store.
11-year-old girl requires plastic surgery
21:09
Alex Ross
Earlier, during Ioan Pintaru’s appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the extent of the 11-year-old girl’s injuries were revealed.
Prosecutor David Burns said she was wounded in the face, shoulder, wrist and neck area.
Mr Burns told the court the girl was still in hospital undergoing treatment and that she required plastic surgery.
Recap on court appearance
19:20
Alex Ross
Ioan Pintaru, 32, was charged with the attempted murder of the girl and possession of a bladed article in a public place, said in court to be a steak knife.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt.
The court heard Pintaru is a Romanian citizen of no fixed address and the charges were read to him through an interpreter during the 10-minute hearing.
Pintaru was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on September 10.
Police pay tribute to members of public ‘who bravely intervened’ in stabbing incident
16:52
Tara Cobham
Police have paid tribute to members of the public “who bravely intervened” in the Leicester Square stabbing incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said: “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.
“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident. They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.”
Leicester Square stabbing suspect to next appear in court in September
16:49
Tara Cobham
The suspect in the Leicester Square stabbing incident was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on 10 September.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
Pictured: Leicester Square stabbing attack suspect Ioan Pintaru
15:13
Tara Cobham
Watch: Police on scene in London’s Leicester Square after 11-year-old girl stabbed
14:59
Tara Cobham
Suspect pictured in court after Leicester Square knife attack
13:13
Tara Cobham
Girl stabbed ‘eight times with steak knife’ in Leicester Square attack that left her needing plastic surgery
12:24
Tara Cobham
A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed in Leicester Square.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address, was also charged with possession of a bladed article early on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt.
Read the full report here:
Man appears in court charged with attempted murder of girl, 11, in Leicester Square
12:03
Tara Cobham
A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt.
The court heard Pintaru is a Romanian citizen of no fixed address and the charges were read to him through an interpreter during the 10-minute hearing.
In pictures: Scene of knife attack that happened in daylight in central London tourist hotspot
11:44
Tara Cobham
Police say thoughts are with victims of ‘horrific’ Leicester Square knife attack
10:00
Tara Cobham
Police have said their thoughts are with the victims of the “horrific” stabbing attack in Leicester Square yesterday as the force continues to support them and their loved ones.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said: “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.”
Police issue update on stabbing attack injuries
09:34
Tara Cobham
Police have confirmed that the mother of the girl knifed in the Leicester Square attack was not hurt in the assault.
It was initially believed that the 11-year-old girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt in the stabbing – however, it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
The 11-year-old’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
A police spokesman said: “It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt, however it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.”
Suspect charged with 11-year-old girl’s attempted murder to appear in court today
08:32
Tara Cobham
The man who has been charged with attempted murder after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed in Leicester Square is set to appear in court today.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
Man charged with attempted murder
06:51
Sam Rkaina
A man has been charged following the stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later this morning.
Police were called to Leicester Square at 11:34hrs on Monday, 12 August following reports of a stabbing.
An 11-year-old girl was found with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital where her injuries, while serious, were assessed as non-life threatening.
It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt however it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
Recap: Everything we know so far
04:00
Alex Ross
Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the attack in Leicester Square on Monday:
- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed at about 11.35am on Monday, 12 August, in Leicester Square opposite the popular M&M store.
- A man, aged 32, has been arrested and remains in custody
- The victims and suspect are not known to each other. The incident is not being treated as terror-related and the police are not searching for anyone else.
- Both victims were taken to a major trauma centre but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The child required hospital treatment while the woman received more minor injuries.
Security guard describes moment he disarmed Leicester Square knifeman
02:00
Holly Evans
Girl, 11, and woman stabbed in Leicester Square as man arrested
Tuesday 13 August 2024 00:00
Holly Evans
A security guard jumped on a knifeman and successfully disarmed him during chaotic scenes in London’s Leicester Square, with an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman stabbed in the tourist hotspot.
Along with the assistance of other members of the public, Abdullah, 29, managed to detain the suspect until the arrival of emergency services, who arrested him at the scene.
Both victims were taken to major trauma centres, with the young girl requiring hospital treatment for her injuries, which are not life-threatening, and the woman suffering more minor wounds.
Read the full report here:
Recap: Everything we know so far
Monday 12 August 2024 22:02
Holly Evans
Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the attack in Leicester Square on Monday:
- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed at about 11.35am on Monday, 12 August, in Leicester Square opposite the popular M&M store.
- A man, aged 32, has been arrested and remains in custody
- The victims and suspect are not known to each other. The incident is not being treated as terror-related and the police are not searching for anyone else.
- Eyewitnesses described hearing the woman scream, with the suspect appearing to target the young girl and attacking her repeatedly.
- Both victims were taken to a major trauma centre but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The child required hospital treatment while the woman received more minor injuries.
Mayor of London receiving regular updates after stabbing
Monday 12 August 2024 20:39
Holly Evans
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said: “The Mayor’s thoughts are with the mother and daughter who were victims of a horrific attack that took place in central London earlier today.
“An 11-year-old girl is seriously injured and remains in hospital, whilst a man has been arrested and is in custody.
“The Mayor is in touch with senior Met officers and is receiving regular updates on this incident.”
Shopworker sees girl with ‘a lot of blood’ on her face
Monday 12 August 2024 19:46
Holly Evans
A shopworker heard screaming outside and said she discovered the girl on the ground with wounds to her face, the Mirror reports.
She said: “I heard screaming and then I saw the girl with a lot of blood all over her face.
“Two security guards held him down. It seemed like a random attack. He didn’t fight the security guards. He did not even resist.”
Where did the attack take place?
Monday 12 August 2024 19:10
Holly Evans
Witness saw man being bundled into police van
Monday 12 August 2024 18:25
Holly Evans
Another eyewitness, David Hawkes, 43, from Billingham, Teesside, was on a family trip to London to visit the Harry Potter Studios when he saw armed cops bundle the suspect in to a police van.
He told MailOnline: “We were sat in Leicester Square and heard a female scream, we walked across at that point police were just arriving quite promptly followed by ambulance crew.
“There was a police helmet on the floor and a guy wearing black had his hands in cuffs and armed police were putting him in a van.
“An air ambulance was trying to land and it was circling overhead.”
Witness saw suspect lying in wait before child heard ‘screaming’
Monday 12 August 2024 17:41
Holly Evans
One witness told The Sun that the suspect was seen lying in wait at the busy tourist hotspot hours before he struck this afternoon.
Dad-of-two security guard Abu Tauhid, 35, said: “I saw him walking around the square this morning. He was on his own, just pacing around.
“I spotted him eating something like a wrap. He was looking out for someone.
“I saw police arrest him and then they took him away.
“I heard the screaming of a child and then the security worker at the tea shop came out and wrestled him to the ground.”
Security guard describes moment he disarmed Leicester Square knifeman
Monday 12 August 2024 16:50
Holly Evans
Police ‘do not believe the suspect and victims were known to each other’
Monday 12 August 2024 16:25
Holly Evans
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, in charge of policing for Westminster, said: “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.
“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident. They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.
“An urgent investigation is now ongoing and detectives are working to establish the details around exactly what happened.
“At this stage we don’t believe the suspect and the victims were known to each other.”
In pictures: Latest photos as police remain at the scene
Monday 12 August 2024 16:15
Holly Evans
Suspect believed to have been seen ‘agitated’ 90 minutes before attack
Monday 12 August 2024 16:03
Holly Evans
An individual working at a nearby business told The Independent he believed he had seen the suspect around 90 minutes before the attack, pacing and talking to himself in an agitated manner.
The man was of white ethnicity in his mid-30s and was wearing a black top and trousers, but no hat, and appeared to potentially be homeless, said the employee, who wished to remain anonymous.
The employee said he first noticed the man because of his agitated state at around 10am near the eventual scene of the attack, which took place at 11:36am.
The man was alone and had remained in the area for at least an hour prior to the attack, he told The Independent’s Andy Gregory.
“We see people like this every day and can recognise them. I hadnt seen him before, today was the first time I saw him.”
Tourists continue to descend upon Leicester Square as crime scene remains
Monday 12 August 2024 15:49
Holly Evans
The milling crowds of tourists ambling through London’s Leicester Square cut a stark contrast to the crime scene cordoned off at its northeastern edge, writes Andy Gregory from the scene.
As police officers patrol the scene swarmed by news crews both local and international, street artists continue to paint caricatures just yards away, while some apparently oblivious tourists continue to pose for photographs.
As one passerby was informed of the stabbing, she could be heard remarking at the edge of the crime scene: ‘Oh that’s why the shop is closed then.”
Video: Man arrested after Leicester Square stabbing
Monday 12 August 2024 15:30
Holly Evans
Street performer says young victim was ‘most targeted'
Monday 12 August 2024 15:13
Holly Evans
A witness said the suspect in the attack in Leicester Square was a young, white, skinny male wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.
The witness, who gave his name as Desmond, 45, said the knifeman focused the attack on the girl, putting her in a headlock and stabbing her.
Desmond, 45, who performs as Darth Vader on the square “every day”, told reporters: “When I looked to my side I saw a young man… was stabbing her several (times) with a knife.
“Before I could jump down to go (over there), two guys were just passing, and they grab him, they put him on the ground, and immediately the police came. I think the woman was also stabbed once, but the child was the most targeted, he was stabbing the child several times. Police held him and stood him up and cuffed him.”
In pictures: Bloodied napkins and medical kits remain at the scene
Monday 12 August 2024 15:01
Holly Evans
Stabbing witness suggests attacker appeared to know young girl
Monday 12 August 2024 14:49
Salma Ouaguira
Street entertainer who witnessed the ‘heartbreaking’ attack, and who did not want to be named, told The Independent that the suspect appeared to know the young girl who was attacked.
The witness claimed he tried to save the girl, who was targeted the most, Andy Gregory reports from the scene.
They said: “I saw a young man stab a girl and the mother, but the little girl was the most targeted.
“I think the mother was also stabbed one time because when she was screaming, I tried to save this child and I saw when he did this.
“This heartbroken, you know, and this is life.”
Asked whether the attacker could have known the victims, he replied: “Maybe they have issue and there is a provocation or he planned to do this and they did it the long time”
Pictured: Police force remain by a cordoned off area in Leicester Square
Monday 12 August 2024 14:41
Salma Ouaguira
Breaking: Police confirm victims sustain non-life threatening injuries
Monday 12 August 2024 14:34
Salma Ouaguira
Westminster Police have released an update regarding the state of a girl and woman stabbed at Leicester Square.
In a tweet, the force said: “The 11-year-old girl will require hospital treatment but her injuries are not life threatening.
“The second victim suffered more minor injuries. At this stage, there is no suggestion that the incident is terror-related.”
Update: The 11-year-old girl will require hospital treatment but her injuries are not life threatening. The second victim suffered more minor injuries.
— Westminster Police | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) August 12, 2024
At this stage, there is no suggestion that the incident is terror-related.
Tourists gather around napkin covered in blood
Monday 12 August 2024 14:32
Salma Ouaguira
A napkin that appears to be covered in blood can be seen on the pavement inside the police cordon surrounding the TWG Tea shop.
Leicester Square is busy with tuk-tuks and tourists, and passersby are gathering to look at the scene.
Pictured: Aftermath of the scene in Leicester Square after stabbing attack
Monday 12 August 2024 14:25
Salma Ouaguira
Attacker restrained by members of the public
Monday 12 August 2024 14:22
Salma Ouaguira
A police officer at the scene said members of the public are believed to have restrained the suspect and one had his foot on the knife and the two others restrained him, Andy Gregory is reporting from the scene.
It is unclear whether the victims were known to the suspect, the officer said.
A security guard said he “jumped on” and took a knife from a man who stabbed a child in Leicester Square.
The guard, who gave his name as Abdullah, 29, said he had worked in security at the TWG Tea shop for the past “seven to eight months”.
Abdullah told the PA news agency: “I heard a scream, at that moment I saw there was one person, roughly (in their) mid-30s or early 30s, and he was like stabbing a kid – I jumped on him, held the hand in which he was (carrying) a knife, and just put him down on the floor and just held him and took the knife away from him.
“Then a couple of more people joined as well, and we just held him until the police came, it took maybe three to four minutes for the police to arrive and then they just took him into custody.”
He and his colleagues gave first aid to the child before the police joined in, he said.
“I just saw a kid getting stabbed and I just tried to save her. It’s my duty to just save them.”
He added that he did not know if the girl was with family members at the time.
Mapped: Leicester Square stabbing
Monday 12 August 2024 14:04
Salma Ouaguira
Cloth covered in blood found at the scene
Monday 12 August 2024 14:03
Salma Ouaguira
Released images from the scene show a cloth covered in blood on Liverpool Street.
Blood can also be seen spattered on the pavement.
Where did the Leicester Square stabbing take place?
Monday 12 August 2024 14:02
Salma Ouaguira
Pictured: Police officers at the scene in London’s Leicester Square
Monday 12 August 2024 13:55
Salma Ouaguira
Victims taken to major trauma centre after stabbing attack
Monday 12 August 2024 13:53
Salma Ouaguira
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said a woman and child stabbed in Leicester Square had been taken to a major trauma centre.
The spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.36am on Monday 12 August to reports of a stabbing at Leicester Square.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched members of our tactical response unit.
“We treated a child and an adult at the scene and took them to a major trauma centre.”
Police cordon in place beside the LEGO store in the West End
Monday 12 August 2024 13:52
Salma Ouaguira
A police cordon has been put in place surrounding the double doors of the TWG Tea shop on Leicester Square after an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman were reportedly stabbed.
The cordon is beside the LEGO store and in front of the M&M store, and families and tourists are still standing in queues for each.
At least six police officers are at the scene.
Breaking: Man arrested after 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woma stabbed in Leicester Square
Monday 12 August 2024 13:49
Salma Ouaguira
A man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman were stabbed in London’s famous Leicester Square.
The Metropolitan Police said the two victims had been taken to a major trauma centre after the attack in the tourist hotspot on Monday.
There were no immediate details about how badly injured they were.
The man is in custody and he is thought to be the only suspect.
The square and the surrounding area have an estimated 2.5 million visitors every week and are home to shops, theatres, cinemas and restaurants.
A police cordon sealing off the crime scene surrounded the double doors of the TWG Tea shop, which is beside the Logo store and in front of the M&Ms store.
In a statement, police said: “Officers are at the scene of a stabbing in Leicester Square.
“A man has been arrested and is in custody. We don’t believe there are any outstanding suspects. Two victims, an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman, have been taken to hospital and we await an update on their condition.”