Man remanded on Leytonstone Tube station murder bid charge

Updated

The man accused of carrying out an unprovoked knife attack "for Syria" at Leytonstone Tube station is expected to stand trial next year.

Muhaydin Mire, 29, is charged with the attempted murder of a 56-year-old man who was attacked from behind in front of several members of the public on the evening of Saturday December 5. Prosecutors have alleged the attack was an act of terrorism.

The defendant appeared before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey via video-link from Belmarsh Prison in south east London.

He spoke only to confirm his name before the senior judge fixed a plea and case management hearing for March 7 ahead of a suggested trial date of May 31.

Much of the attack on the unidentified victim known as Man A was captured on mobile phone footage and eyewitnesses said the attacker said "This is for Syria" during the incident.

Mire, of Sansom Road, Leytonstone, is accused of punching his victim to the ground and repeatedly kicking him before taking hold of the victim's head and cutting a 5in (12cm) wound in his neck. The victim underwent five hours of surgery after the attack.

The defendant also allegedly brandished his knife at other members of the public, aiming it at the throat of at least two of them before being Tasered three times by police.

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