Suspected Golders Green attacker remanded after facing attempted murder charges
Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, during a knife rampage
The alleged Golders Green attacker has been remanded in custody after facing court for the first time on charges of attempting to murder two Jewish men.
Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, during a knife rampage through the streets of the north London suburb on Wednesday.
He is accused of having a black handled knife during the attacks in Highfield Avenue, Golders Green.
And Suleiman is also charged with the attempted murder of a third man, long-time friend Ishmail Hussein, earlier the same day at a property in Great Dover Street in Southwark, south London.
Suleiman, who was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s, appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday to face the charges for the first time.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded the defendant in custody, and sent the case to the Old Bailey with the next hearing set for May 15.
Suleiman, of Camberwell, south London, did not enter pleas to three counts of attempted murder and one charge of possessing a knife in a public place.
The defendant, dressed in a prison-issue grey tracksuit, was accompanied by four security guards during his time in the dock.
He placed his hands on his hips as the judge remanded him in custody, but remained emotionless throughout the court hearing.
Before he was charged, Scotland Yard confirmed that Suleiman was reported to Prevent, the Government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was closed the same year.
Police tasered the suspect after the double stabbing which left both Mr Rand and Mr Shine in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.
Mr Rand told the BBC it was a “miracle” he survived, adding: “I feel like God’s given me back my life.”
He has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after receiving stitches, Rabbi Levi Schapiro from the Jewish Community Council, who has visited both victims, said on social media.
Mr Shine, who was stabbed in the neck, remains in hospital and in a stable condition.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues.
“We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course.”
The UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on Thursday, meaning a terror attack is “highly likely”.
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