Golders Green stabbing suspect denies three attempted murders

Essa Suleiman, 45, pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempted murder at the Old Bailey on Friday. The Somalia-born defendant is accused of stabbing two men in Golders Green and another individual in Southwark. The court heard that Suleiman allegedly attacked Ishmail Hussein at his home in Southwark before travelling to Golders Green on April 29.

Golders Green incident

In Golders Green, Suleiman is alleged to have targeted Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76. Mr Rand was reportedly stabbed once in the chest while studying at a synagogue in Highfield Avenue. Mr Shine sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to hospital. Deanna Heer KC told an earlier hearing that both victims were "obviously members of the orthodox Jewish community by the way they were dressed at the time". The incident in Golders Green concluded when a member of the public intervened to disarm the defendant.

Suleiman was also charged with possessing a black-handled knife in a public place. He appeared at the Old Bailey via CVP link and denied all charges against him. His trial is scheduled to commence on March 1, 2027, at the Old Bailey.