Man who stabbed Australian girl in London avoids attempted murder charge
A homeless Romanian who repeatedly stabbed an 11-year-old Australian tourist in a random attack in Leicester Square will not face trial for attempted murder.
Ioan Pintaru, 33, held the Australian tourist in a headlock and stabbed her eight times, the Old Bailey heard.
Ioan Pintaru was arrested after allegedly stabbing an 11-year-old Australian girl in London’s Leicester Square.Credit: Facebook
The girl was in the United Kingdom on a trip with her mother to see Taylor Swift perform at Wembley in August last year.
Pintaru, who is detained at Ashworth High Secure Hospital near Liverpool, had admitted to wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article but denied attempted murder.
He was due to stand trial this week but Judge Richard Marks, KC, the Common Serjeant of London, said the attempted murder charge would not be proceeded with.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the charge was dropped after psychiatrists agreed that Pintaru was suffering from a psychotic illness, possibly paranoid schizophrenia, at the time of the offence.
The psychiatrists said this would have impaired his ability to form a rational judgment or understand his own conduct.
A CPS spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim and family affected by the horrendous actions of Ioan Pintaru, who remains criminally responsible and will be sentenced accordingly.
