Man accused of stabbing stranger at Tube station and threatening four others

A man who allegedly stabbed a random stranger at Leytonstone Tube station "for Syria" has been accused of brandishing the blade at four more members of the public.

Muhiddin Mire, 30, is charged with the attempted murder of a 56-year-old man who was attacked from behind in front of several travellers on the evening of Saturday December 5.

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

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.

Mire appeared before Judge Richard Marks QC at the Old Bailey via video link for a plea and case management hearing.

During the hearing, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC applied for four counts of attempted wounding to be added to the indictment.

They related to his alleged threatening behaviour towards Daniel Bielinski, Serena Valori, David Pethers and Andrius Sabaliauskus.

The judge adjourned the plea hearing to May 24 ahead of a provisional trial on May 31.