Hainault ‘sword attacker’ ‘broke into dwelling whereas daughter slept’

The Brazilian ‘mystic’ musician accused of murdering 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in the Hainault sword rampage is also accused of bursting into a home where a couple were asleep with their four-year-old daughter and attacking her father, a court heard.

Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared in court today accused of Daniel’s murder along with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. 

Four others were seriously injured during the 22-minute reign of terror on Tuesday, including a heroic female police officer who almost lost a hand. 

David Burns, prosecuting, said Monzo allegedly drove a van at speed at Donato Iwule, who was walking on the street, before exiting the vehicle and slashing him around the neck, leaving an injury that required hospital treatment.

Monzo then forced entry into the bedroom of a couple who were sleeping with their four-year-old child and slashed the father in the neck, the prosecutor said. 

Mr Burns said he was shouting: ‘If you do not believe in God he will cause you harm.’ 

The prosecutor added: ‘He has then left the scene and attacked Daniel Anjorin, a schoolboy on his way to school.’

It is alleged that he stabbed him in the neck and chest. 

The court heard that while officers were tending to Daniel’s injuries Monzo appeared from a bush and attacked a female police officer with the weapon while she was on the ground. 

A second officer named Moloy Campbell was also injured, the court heard. 

Flanked by three burly male dock officers and one female, Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national, wore a prison-issue grey tracksuit and held his left hand over his chest for today’s entire seven-minute hearing.

When asked to confirm his full name, he responded very slowly: ‘My full name? As of my recollection it is Marcus Aurielo Audini.’

Senior District Judge and Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said: ‘I am going to send your case, all seven charges, to the Central Criminal Court, you might know it as the Old Bailey. 

‘I don’t have the power to consider bail. You will therefore be remanded in custody to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 7 May.’

Social media photos show Monzo smiling and doing a thumbs-up with a collection of medals round his neck after success in a sports contest. 

On Boxing Day last year, he posted another video on the same Instagram page showing him larking around in Robin Hood fancy dress during an archery competition. He spoke in Portuguese as he joked with friends.

Elsewhere on social media, Monzo describes himself as a ‘mystic and a musician’. 

He also lists himself as the director of a London-based company which has now been dissolved.

Daniel was remembered last night as a ‘true scholar’ with a ‘gentle character’ – as well-wishers raised more than £28,000 on GoFundMe for a celebration of his life. 

The 14-year-old was said to put a smile on faces whenever he walked in the room while being described as a ‘very much-loved’ boy who brought joy to his family and was an ‘admirable’ student at his prestigious independent school.

Daniel attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green, the £24,999-a-year school, which yesterday flew its flag at half-mast while flowers were laid by fellow students.

His heartbroken parents are trusting in their deep Christian faith to cope with their profound shock and grief at his killing, family friends revealed.

Bancroft’s School said on its website: ‘We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow.

‘He joined Bancroft’s at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.

‘His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us. Losing such a young pupil is something we will always struggle to come to terms with.’ Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, had also been a pupil at the Bancroft’s.

Her parents offered to meet Daniel’s family – health and safety consultant Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, and science teacher mother Grace Anjorin, 49 – to help them through their traumatic time. 

Sinead O’Malley, Grace’s mum, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘I don’t think there’s anything that anybody can say to alleviate their heart and their pain so we wouldn’t try to minimise that, but all we can do is empathise and hope they will heal with time.’

Daniel was killed at just before 7am on Tuesday when a stranger wielding a samurai-style sword is said to have set upon him in the street, yards from his front door.

Aiste Dabasinskaaite revealed how she tried to warn Daniel but it was too late. She said: ‘My instinct was to shout and wave at him, which is what me and another neighbour did, but because he had his headphones on, I don’t think he heard us.

‘It was sort of a moment where we just went from shouting to just blankness, just felt empty.’

Neighbour Sheryl Carter said: ‘I heard a scream which came from [Daniel’s] mum. My neighbour saw her running and then she had to be held back by police.’

She heard Mrs Anjorin say: ‘I only spoke to him a minute ago.’ 

Friend Cyan Thompson added: ‘I can’t believe he has gone. He was such a good person with great manners.

‘He was so caring. You couldn’t help but smile when he walked into the room.’

Close friends revealed Daniel’s respected Nigerian parents believe they will be reunited as a family in heaven.

Janti Charalambous and Ade Caxton-Cole have known the football-loving Arsenal fan since he was little.

They explained: ‘He was a joyful boy – he brought his family a lot of joy and his life has just been taken away.’

The couple added: ‘The family are in shock and are heart-broken. Such a young boy taken away from the family.

‘Their faith is sustaining them and we are all supporting them in any shape they need.’