Man admits trying to stab four people at London Tube station

Updated

A man has admitted trying to stab four people in an unprovoked attack in front of shocked commuters at a London Tube station.

But Muhaydin Mire, 30, denied trying to murder another man in his fifties during the same attack at Leytonstone Tube station on December 5 last year.

Appearing at London's Old Bailey via videolink from prison, Mire denied one count of attempted murder but admitted four counts of attempted wounding.

Wearing a blue jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms, he sat with his hands clasped in his lap and stared straight ahead during the hearing.

Prosecutors claim the attack was an act of terrorism.

Mire spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas.

Much of the attacks was captured on mobile phone footage which circulated widely on social media.

Mire, of Sansom Road, Leytonstone, is accused of punching the alleged attempted murder victim to the ground.

He repeatedly kicked the man before taking hold of the victim's head and cutting a 5in (12cm) wound in his neck, it is alleged.

The man has not been named but is in his mid-fifties.

The victim underwent five hours of surgery after the attack.

The defendant then brandished his knife at other members of the public before being Tasered three times by police.

Three people believed to be members of his family sat in the public gallery for the hearing.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard, the Recorder of London, adjourned the case until next Tuesday, May 31, and the trial is expected to last two weeks.

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