A man who has been charged following the stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square is set to appear in court today.
Police rushed to the London tourist hotspot on Monday morning following reports of an incident near the TWG Tea shop, which is beside the Lego store and in front of the M&Ms store, at around 11.30am.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, has now been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later this morning.
The 11-year-old victim was found with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital where her injuries, while serious, were assessed as non-life threatening.
It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt however it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
Police issue update on stabbing attack injuries
Police have confirmed that the mother of the girl knifed in the Leicester Square attack was not hurt in the assault.
It was initially believed that the 11-year-old girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt in the stabbing – however, it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
The 11-year-old’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
A police spokesman said: “It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt, however it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.”

Tara Cobham13 August 2024 09:34
Suspect charged with 11-year-old girl’s attempted murder to appear in court today
The man who has been charged with attempted murder after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed in Leicester Square is set to appear in court today.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
Tara Cobham13 August 2024 08:32
Man charged with attempted murder
A man has been charged following the stabbing of an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later this morning.
Police were called to Leicester Square at 11:34hrs on Monday, 12 August following reports of a stabbing.
An 11-year-old girl was found with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital where her injuries, while serious, were assessed as non-life threatening.
It was initially believed that the girl’s mother, a 34-year-old woman, was also hurt however it was later confirmed that blood from her daughter’s injuries had been mistaken for injuries of her own.
Sam Rkaina13 August 2024 06:51
Recap: Everything we know so far
Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the attack in Leicester Square on Monday:
- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed at about 11.35am on Monday, 12 August, in Leicester Square opposite the popular M&M store.
- A man, aged 32, has been arrested and remains in custody
- The victims and suspect are not known to each other. The incident is not being treated as terror-related and the police are not searching for anyone else.
- Both victims were taken to a major trauma centre but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The child required hospital treatment while the woman received more minor injuries.
Alex Ross13 August 2024 04:00
Security guard describes moment he disarmed Leicester Square knifeman
Holly Evans13 August 2024 02:00
Girl, 11, and woman stabbed in Leicester Square as man arrested
Along with the assistance of other members of the public, Abdullah, 29, managed to detain the suspect until the arrival of emergency services, who arrested him at the scene.
Both victims were taken to major trauma centres, with the young girl requiring hospital treatment for her injuries, which are not life-threatening, and the woman suffering more minor wounds.
Read the full report here:
Holly Evans13 August 2024 00:00
Recap: Everything we know so far
Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the attack in Leicester Square on Monday:
- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed at about 11.35am on Monday, 12 August, in Leicester Square opposite the popular M&M store.
- A man, aged 32, has been arrested and remains in custody
- The victims and suspect are not known to each other. The incident is not being treated as terror-related and the police are not searching for anyone else.
- Eyewitnesses described hearing the woman scream, with the suspect appearing to target the young girl and attacking her repeatedly.
- Both victims were taken to a major trauma centre but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The child required hospital treatment while the woman received more minor injuries.
Holly Evans12 August 2024 22:02
Mayor of London receiving regular updates after stabbing
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said: “The Mayor’s thoughts are with the mother and daughter who were victims of a horrific attack that took place in central London earlier today.
“An 11-year-old girl is seriously injured and remains in hospital, whilst a man has been arrested and is in custody.
“The Mayor is in touch with senior Met officers and is receiving regular updates on this incident.”
Holly Evans12 August 2024 20:39
Shopworker sees girl with ‘a lot of blood’ on her face
A shopworker heard screaming outside and said she discovered the girl on the ground with wounds to her face, the Mirror reports.
She said: “I heard screaming and then I saw the girl with a lot of blood all over her face.
“Two security guards held him down. It seemed like a random attack. He didn’t fight the security guards. He did not even resist.”
Holly Evans12 August 2024 19:46