A man identified as Essa Suleiman faced charges of attempted murder today in court for allegedly attacking two Jewish men in Golders Green with a knife. The accused, aged 45, is also accused of attempting to kill a friend on the same day in south-east London.
According to Westminster Magistrates Court, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were the victims of the knife rampage in the North London suburb. The prosecution disclosed that Suleiman had a prior relationship with the man he allegedly tried to murder in Southwark before the Golders Green attacks.
Prosecutor Emma Harraway revealed that Suleiman, armed with a knife, attempted to stab his acquaintance at his home, but the victim managed to defend himself. Subsequently, Suleiman is said to have traveled to Golders Green, where he allegedly stabbed Mr. Rand near a synagogue, causing serious injuries.
Suleiman is further accused of assaulting Mr. Shine at a bus stop shortly after the first attack. The court heard that Suleiman, originally from Somalia, had legal status in the UK since the 1990s. He did not plead guilty to the charges of attempted murder and possession of a knife in public.
During the court hearing, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered Suleiman to remain in custody until the next hearing scheduled for May 15 at the Old Bailey. The defendant, dressed in a prison-issued outfit, showed no emotion as he was remanded in custody by the judge.
Prior to being charged, Suleiman had been reported to the Prevent program in 2020, the government’s anti-extremism initiative. Following the attacks in Golders Green, police used a taser to apprehend Suleiman, who left both victims hospitalized.
Mr. Rand, who survived the attack, described it as a “miracle” and expressed gratitude for being alive. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home. However, Mr. Shine remains hospitalized in stable condition with neck injuries.
Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation, with Commander Helen Flanagan emphasizing the need to avoid speculation and allow the justice system to proceed. The UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” following the incident, indicating a high likelihood of a terror attack.