A Romanian man accused of putting an 11-year-old girl in a headlock and stabbing her eight times in London has been charged with attempted murder, according to multiple reports.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, committed the near-fatal stabbing on Monday around 11:30 a.m. when he approached the girl and her 34-year-old mother, who were both touring Leicester Square, multiple U.K. outlets including the BBC, Sky News and the Independent reported.
The girl, who was taken to the hospital following the stabbing, sustained injuries to her face, shoulder, neck and wrist, prosecutors told the court, per BBC. She remained at the hospital and will have to undergo plastic surgery due to her injuries.
“This is a horrific incident and our thoughts are with the victims and their family,” Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said, per the Independent. “We will continue to provide support to them over the coming days and weeks.”
‘I just tried to save her’
A 29-year-old security guard at a nearby shop recalled how he “heard a scream” and “jumped on” a man he saw attacking the girl, Sky News reported. The guard then held the man down, took his knife and waited for police to arrive.
“I just saw a kid getting stabbed and I just tried to save her. It’s my duty to just save them,” the security guard, identified as Abdullah, 29, told the outlet.
The guard also said he and his colleagues gave first aid to the girl before officers arrived within four minutes of the attack on Monday morning.
“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident,” Jessah said, per the Independent. “They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.”
Pintaru only confirmed name and date of birth
Pintaru spoke through an interpreter to confirm his name and date of birth, according to the BBC. He also told the court that he did not have a home address.
In addition to the attempted murder offense, Pintaru was charged with possession of a bladed article, the BBC reported.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court remanded Pintaru in custody. He is due to appear in court again in September.
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