A man has admitted the attempted murder of a woman he stabbed in Streatham Hill.
Mark Brazant, 43 of Windmill Road, Ealing appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 6 August where he pleaded guilty following a trial. He will be sentenced on Wednesday, 16 September.
Police were called at 5.23pm on Monday, 30 December 2019, to a report of a woman stabbed in Downton Avenue, Streatham Hill.
The victim was taken to hospital. Her injuries were assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. The stabbing occurred as she was pushing her child in a pushchair. The child was not injured.
Brazant attacked the victim from behind then he ran off down Downton Avenue away from the High Road leaving her injured in the street.
Detectives from Central South CID immediately launched a thorough investigation.
During the trial the jury heard how in-depth CCTV enquiries enabled detectives to trace Brazant’s movements that day. He had travelled all over London for hours on public transport in search of a victim.
Three days later, following extensive media coverage, Brazant handed himself into a police station.
Brazant was arrested and charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a pointed/bladed article on Thursday, 2 January.
Today he plead guilty to attempted murder and he had already plead guilty to one count of possession of an offensive weapon, and three counts of pointed/bladed articles at the beginning of the trial.
Acting Detective Sergeant Mark Pascall, said: “I am pleased with today’s result as Brazant originally claimed he wasn’t in sound mind at the time but his words and actions following the attack showed otherwise. It was clear Brazant had a clear intent that day to cause harm. He is dangerous and unpredictable.
“We have no idea why he chose the victim he did but thankfully, and luckily, she wasn’t more seriously injured.
“I would like to thank the investigation team for extremely thorough enquiries that meant we were able to charge him so quickly and take him off the streets on London.
“I commend the victim for her bravery throughout the trial and courage to give evidence in front of the man who caused her serious harm.”
