A man named Essa Suleiman faced court charges today for allegedly attempting to murder two Jewish men and a friend in Golders Green. The 45-year-old is accused of attacking Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, with a knife in the north London suburb. Additionally, he is charged with another attempted murder incident in south-east London.
According to Westminster Magistrates Court, Rand was assaulted outside his synagogue, while Shine was reportedly stabbed in the neck at a bus stop. Prior to the Golders Green attacks, Suleiman allegedly tried to kill a longtime friend in Southwark.
The prosecutor, Emma Harraway, disclosed that Suleiman had a history with the friend and attempted to stab him at home. Subsequently, Suleiman allegedly proceeded to Brent Cross underground station and then to Golders Green where the attacks took place.
During the court hearing, it was detailed that Suleiman allegedly stabbed Rand in the chest and later attacked Shine at a bus stop. After the incidents, Suleiman was remanded in custody by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring until the next hearing scheduled at the Old Bailey on May 15.
Suleiman, a resident of Camberwell, south London, did not enter pleas to the charges against him. He was dressed in a grey tracksuit and accompanied by security guards during the proceedings. Scotland Yard mentioned that Suleiman had been reported to Prevent in 2020 but the case was closed that same year.
After the stabbings, both victims were hospitalized, with Rand being discharged and Shine in stable condition. Counter Terrorism Policing London’s head, Helen Flanagan, emphasized the importance of justice for the victims and urged against further speculation on the case. The UK terrorism threat level was elevated to “severe” following the incidents, indicating a high likelihood of a terror attack.
