A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murders of three people during two knife attacks in London. Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of stabbing two Jewish men in Golders Green on Wednesday, having already attacked another man over a personal dispute in south London.
Prosecutor Emma Harraway told Westminster Magistrates' Court that Suleiman attacked Ishmail Hussein at his home in Southwark before travelling to Golders Green, north-west London, shortly after 11am. There, he attacked Shloime Rand, 34, and 76-year-old Norman Shine, both clearly identifiable as Orthodox Jews by their clothing.
A member of the public, not named in court, saw the attack on Shine and tried to disarm Suleiman. Further charges are being considered regarding Suleiman's alleged actions towards that man. Prosecutors said Suleiman was arrested after officers used a stun gun, and he had a “medical episode” while on the ground requiring hospital treatment.
Suleiman appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and address. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded him in custody and sent the case to the Old Bailey, with the next hearing set for 15 May.
