Man Admits Brutal Leicester Square Stabbing of Girl, 11, in Court
Shocking Old Bailey confession: Romanian drifter pleads guilty to savage knife assault on young tourist in London’s heart, as trial now looms.
In a chilling courtroom revelation at the Old Bailey, Ioan Pintaru, a 33-year-old Romanian national, admitted to a brutal knife attack on an 11-year-old Australian girl in Leicester Square, pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
The random assault, which unfolded in London’s bustling West End on 12 August 2024, saw the young victim, holidaying with her 34-year-old mother, subjected to a ferocious onslaught as Pintaru allegedly seized her in a headlock outside the Lego store and stabbed her eight times, targeting her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck.
The prosecution, led by Heidi Stonecliffe KC, confirmed that a trial on the outstanding charge of attempted murder is scheduled to commence on 27 October, ensuring further scrutiny of Pintaru’s actions. Appearing via video link before Judge Richard Marks KC, the defendant, of no fixed address, relied on an interpreter during the plea hearing, where he denied the attempted murder charge but accepted responsibility for the lesser wounding offence.
His guilty pleas mark a significant development in a case that has gripped public attention, though the full scope of his intent remains under legal contention.
A security guard’s swift intervention proved critical, disarming Pintaru and restraining him until Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene, just after 11:30 BST.
The guard’s account, previously shared with Video Production News, underscores the rapid response that likely prevented further harm. The young victim was promptly rushed to hospital, where she received treatment for her serious injuries, which included wounds to multiple areas of her body, reflecting the violence of the unprovoked attack.
The court heard that the incident occurred in broad daylight in one of London’s most iconic public spaces, a detail that underscores the audacity of the assault. Pintaru’s actions, described as methodical by the prosecution, involved approaching the girl as she exited the popular retail store, before launching his attack without apparent motive.
The case, now poised for trial on the attempted murder charge, will delve into the circumstances surrounding Pintaru’s intent, with the prosecution preparing to present evidence to support the gravest of the allegations.
As proceedings continue, the Old Bailey remains the focal point for this high-profile case, with legal analysts closely monitoring developments.
The trial’s outcome will hinge on the prosecution’s ability to prove Pintaru’s state of mind during the attack, while the defence’s strategy remains to be fully revealed.
For now, the guilty pleas provide partial closure, but the unresolved charge ensures that this case will remain a matter of intense judicial and public interest in the weeks ahead.
