Terrifying Random Attack in London’s West End
A shocking assault rocked London’s West End last August. Around 11:30am on 12 August, Ioan Pintaru, a Romanian national, lunged at a young girl outside a Lego store as she left with her 34-year-old mother. Without warning, he slammed her in a headlock and stabbed her eight times.
Defiant Killer’s Court U-Turn
Pintaru, 33, initially denied attempted murder. But in a dramatic twist, he pleaded guilty to wounding the child with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and carrying a knife. The accused appeared at the Old Bailey via video link, relying on an interpreter during the hearing before Judge Richard Marks KC.
Hero Security Guard Stops Horror
- A quick-thinking security guard tackled Pintaru, wrestled the knife away, and held him down until police arrived.
- The innocent victim was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck.
Attempted Murder Trial Looms
Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC confirmed Pintaru faces trial on 27 October over the attempted murder charge. Now homeless and on the run from justice, he’ll answer for this brutal attack in one of London’s busiest tourist hotspots.
