An 11-year-old Australian tourist who was stabbed in Leicester Square has expressed gratitude to hospital staff who helped her recover in time to see a Taylor Swift concert, a long-awaited dream for the young fan.
The girl, who was visiting London with her mother from New South Wales, suffered serious injuries in a shocking attack on the morning of August 12. A court heard that a man approached the girl, placed her in a headlock, and stabbed her eight times in front of her 34-year-old mother. The attack occurred shortly after they had visited the Lego store.
Members of the public quickly intervened, restraining the attacker until police arrived and found the man being held on the ground. The young victim was rushed to the hospital, where she received treatment for injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck area.
Speaking to 7News Australia, the girl’s mother described how their “dream” holiday to see Taylor Swift turned into a nightmare. However, after a week of recovery, with the support of Australian consular officials and the hospital staff, the young fan was able to fulfil her dream of attending the concert before returning to Australia on Sunday.
The brave young girl thanked the medical team, saying, “It was bad to meet them under those circumstances, but they are some people I will remember forever.” Her mother praised her daughter’s resilience, calling her “incredible” and noting that she was ready to “get back to normal.” She added, “She’s the most optimistic kid you could meet, she’s super bouncy.”
Last week, a security guard who helped disarm the suspect was honoured for his bravery at the Pakistan High Commission in London.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with the attempted murder of the young girl, identified as Laila, as well as possession of a bladed article. The Romanian citizen is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on September 10.
Police have clarified that the incident is not believed to be terror-related, and there is no indication that the suspect and victims were known to each other.
The tragic event has shocked many, but the young victim’s determination to continue her “dream” trip despite the traumatic experience has inspired those around her.
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