Man remanded over stabbing of two Jewish men in London
· RTE.ieA 45-year-old man has been remanded in custody after being charged with attempted murder over an attack in which two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green in London on Wednesday.
Essa Suleiman is accused of trying to kill the men, who are aged 34 and 76.
He is accused of having a black handled knife during the attacks in Highfield Avenue, Golders Green and has also been charged with the attempted murder of a third man earlier the same day at a property in Great Dover Street in Southwark, south London.
Mr Suleiman, who was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s, appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face the charges for the first time.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded the defendant in custody, and sent the case to the Old Bailey with the next hearing set for 15 May.
Mr Suleiman, of Camberwell, south London, did not enter pleas to three counts of attempted murder and one charge of possessing a knife in a public place.
He placed his hands on his hips as the judge remanded him in custody, but remained emotionless throughout the court hearing.
Before he was charged, Scotland Yard confirmed that Mr Suleiman was reported to Prevent, the UK government's anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was closed the same year.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues.
"We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course."