A horrifying incident unfolded in Leicester Square, as an 11-year-old girl was brutally stabbed eight times by a man wielding a steak knife. The accused, Ioan Pintaru, a 32-year-old Romanian citizen without a fixed address, was seen for the first time as he appeared in court today.
The terrifying attack occurred when the young girl and her mother, tourists visiting the UK, found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pintaru allegedly put the girl in a headlock before repeatedly stabbing her in the stomach, leaving her covered in blood. The child is now in the hospital, requiring plastic surgery to address her injuries.
During the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Pintaru, dressed in a grey prison-issue sweatshirt, faced charges of stabbing the young girl and also possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely the steak knife used in the assault. An interpreter assisted him in understanding the proceedings.
This shocking incident shook the normally bustling tourist center, bringing police swiftly to the scene. Authorities arrived to find the young victim in need of urgent medical attention. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting the young girl and her family through this traumatic experience. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors in public spaces.