A MAN put an 11-year-old girl in a headlock before knifing her eight times in a random attack in Leicester Square, a court heard.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, is accused of attacking the child, who was visiting London with her mum, yesterday afternoon.
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He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with attempted murder.
Pintaru is also accused of possession of a bladed article in a public place, which the court heard was a steak knife.
The court was told Pintaru allegedly put the girl in a headlock before stabbing her eight times.
Hero passers-by came to the girl’s aid, which prevented any further injury, it was said.
She sustained wounds to her face, shoulder, wrist and neck area during the horror.
The girl remains in hospital and is believed to require plastic surgery for her injuries.
Pintaru, who is a Romanian citizen and used a translator, spoke only when asked his name, date of birth and address.
He was remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on September 10.
The horror unfolded in the bustling tourist hotspot at around 11.34am yesterday.
The girl’s mum, 34, was initially thought to have also been hurt but blood from her daughter’s injuries was mistaken for her own.
Police said the suspect was not known to either of the victims and the stabbing is not currently being treated as terror-related.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, in charge of policing for Westminster, said: “This is a horrific incident and our thoughts are with the victims and their family.
“We will continue to provide support to them over the coming days and weeks.
“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident.
“They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.
“An urgent investigation is now ongoing and detectives are working to establish the details around exactly what happened.”
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