Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, during a knife attack through the streets of the north London suburb on Wednesday
The suspected Golders Green attacker has been held in custody after appearing in court for the first time on charges of attempting to murder two Jewish men.
Essa Suleiman, 45, stands accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, during a knife attack through the streets of the north London neighbourhood on Wednesday.
He is alleged to have wielded a black-handled knife during the assaults in Highfield Avenue, Golders Green. Suleiman is also charged with the attempted murder of a third man, long-standing friend Ishmail Hussein, earlier that same day at an address in Great Dover Street in Southwark, south London.
Suleiman, who was born in Somalia and arrived in the UK lawfully as a child in the 1990s, stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday to face the allegations for the first time.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring held the defendant in custody, and transferred the case to the Old Bailey with the next hearing scheduled 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, wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit, was flanked by four security guards during his appearance in the dock.
He put his hands on his hips as the judge remanded him in custody, but showed no emotion throughout the court proceedings. Prior to being charged, Scotland Yard confirmed that Suleiman was referred to Prevent, the Government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was shut the same year.
Officers used a taser on the suspect following the double stabbing which left both Mr Rand and Mr Shine in hospital receiving treatment for their wounds.
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 released from hospital and is recuperating at home after having stitches, Rabbi Levi Schapiro from the Jewish Community Council, who has visited both victims, said on social media.
Mr Shine, who was knifed 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 elevated to “severe” by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on Thursday, meaning a terror attack is “highly likely”.