Hainault sword attack: Alleged attacker broke into family home and attacked man, court hears

2 May 2024, 08:20 | Updated: 2 May 2024, 16:35

The man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy in Hainault allegedly broke into a home where a couple were asleep with their four-year-old daughter and attacked the father, a court heard today.

Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian national, is charged with murdering Daniel Anjorin, who was stabbed on his way to school on Tuesday morning.

Monzo, from Newham, east London was also charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.

Four people were injured, including two Metropolitan Police officers, in the incident in Hainault, northeast London.

Monzo, 36, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, he spoke only to confirm his name.

During proceedings, the court heard that on the morning of the attack Monzo drove a van "at speed" into a man.

It was alleged he then "exited the vehicle with a samurai sword" and was said to have attacked the man he had driven into, slashing him in the neck, the court was told. The man would later receive hospital treatment.

Around 15 minutes later, the court heard he forced his way into a home where a family was sleeping, including a four-year-old girl.

Monzo then allegedly attacked the father in his bed, leaving him with arm and neck injuries.

The court heard that Monzo allegedly then "jumped out of a bush" at a female police officer and caused serious injuries to her arm.

Another officer was also later injured.

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Daniel was a pupil at Bancroft's private school in Woodford Green - the same school attended by Nottingham attack victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar.

Staff and pupils at the school said that Daniel's sudden death had left them in "profound shock and sorrow".

Daniel's family told Sky News he was "a wonderful child" who was "well loved" and "hard-working" - and that his death "leaves a gaping wound in the family".

They added: "No family should have to go through what we are experiencing. Any family will understand it's an absolute tragedy."

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Monzo in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday - if a hearing is not available on Friday.