A 33-year-old man has been locked up after savagely stabbing an 11-year-old girl in the heart of London’s Leicester Square.
Heroic Bystanders Stop Knife Attack in Minutes
Ioan-Alexandru Pintaru, a man with no fixed address, went on a brutal rampage on August 12, stabbing the young Australian tourist outside the Lego Store just after 11.30am. The girl and her mum were finishing up their shopping when the attack struck.
Security guard Abdullah, 30, sprang into action from a nearby teashop as the girl screamed. Without hesitation, he disarmed Pintaru, kicked away the knife, and, with help from two other men, detained the attacker on the spot.
Abdullah said: “It was a purely selfless and instinctive response, driven by a sense of responsibility to help someone in danger. I’m grateful that this was acknowledged and that the child is safe.”
An off-duty nurse nearby quickly treated the girl’s wounds, which included injuries to her eye, neck, chest, and shoulder. Police arrived within four minutes of the emergency call and arrested Pintaru immediately.
Shocking Attack Stuns London
The girl’s mother broke down in court describing the horrific assault. She said Pintaru held her daughter in a headlock and stabbed her “like a jackhammer, repeatedly.” The attacker appeared “wide-eyed and manic, like nothing was going to stop him.”
CCTV footage played a crucial role in sealing Pintaru’s conviction. He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed weapon.
Sentenced to Potentially Indefinite Detention
On December 16, at the Old Bailey, Pintaru was handed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act. An added restriction under Section 41 means he could be held indefinitely.
Detective Constable Laura Nicoll said: “This innocent scene was shattered by a savage and brutal attack. But we also saw the best of London – the bravery of a security guard and the compassion of an off-duty nurse who helped save this little girl’s life.”
Pintaru, later diagnosed with schizophrenia, claimed he believed people were trying to kill him but denied intending harm. The chilling case stands as a stark reminder of the power of swift police action and everyday heroes on London’s streets.
