11-Year-Old Tourist Stabbed Eight Times in London; Suspect Charged
Ioan Pintaru, aged 32, faces charges of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing an 11-year-old girl who was visiting Leicester Square with her mother.
A man from Romania has been charged with attempted murder after reportedly putting an 11-year-old girl in a headlock and stabbing her eight times in London.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, allegedly carried out the attack on Monday around 11:30 a.m. as he approached the girl and her 34-year-old mother while they were exploring Leicester Square, according to various UK news outlets like the BBC, Sky News, and the Independent.
The girl was rushed to the hospital following the stabbing with injuries to her face, neck, shoulder, and wrist. Prosecutors informed the court, via BBC, that she will require plastic surgery due to her injuries.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah expressed her horror over the incident, stating, “This is a horrific incident and our thoughts are with the victims and their family. We will continue to provide support to them in the coming days and weeks,” as reported by the Independent.
“I Just Tried to Save Her”
A 29-year-old security guard from a nearby store recounted that he “heard a scream” and immediately “jumped on” a man he witnessed attacking the girl, as reported by Sky News. He restrained the attacker, took away the knife, and waited for the police to arrive.
“I just saw a kid getting stabbed, and I just tried to save her. It’s my duty to protect them,” Abdullah, the security guard, told the news outlet.
Abdullah and his colleagues provided first aid to the girl before the police arrived within four minutes of the incident.
Jessah commended the quick actions of the public, especially local business staff, saying, “I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public who bravely intervened in this incident. They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so,” according to the Independent.
Pintaru Only Confirmed His Name and Date of Birth
During the court proceedings, Pintaru communicated through an interpreter only to confirm his name and date of birth. The BBC reported that he also mentioned he did not have a permanent home address.
Along with the charge of attempted murder, Pintaru faces an additional charge for possessing a knife, as reported by the BBC.
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court has remanded Pintaru in custody, and he is scheduled to appear in court again in September.