Essa Suleiman is accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand and Norman Shine during a knife rampage through the streets of Golders Green.
The alleged Golders Green attacker tried to murder his own friend before stabbing two Jewish men in the street, a court has heard.
Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of trying to kill Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, during a knife rampage through the streets of the north London suburb on Wednesday.
Mr Rand was attacked as he left his synagogue, Westminster Magistrates Court heard, while Mr Shine was allegedly stabbed in the neck at a bus stop as he adjusted the traditional Jewish kippah on his head.
As Suleiman appeared in court for the first time on Friday, it was revealed that he is accused of attempting to murder a man he had known for around 20 years, Ishmail Hussein, at his home in Southwark in the hours before the Golders Green attacks.
“He has known the defendant for some time”, prosecutor Emma Harraway said of Mr Hussein.
The court heard Suleiman is said to have called Mr Hussein’s phone several times before he was buzzed into his home at around 7.50am.
It is alleged Suleiman was armed with a knife and “tried to stab Mr Hussein” in his upper body, but his friend “fended off the attack”.
Suleiman is then accused of travelling to Brent Cross underground station before going on to Golders Green.
Mr Rand had been “studying in the synagogue” before he was allegedly stabbed in the chest by Suleiman, the court heard.
“Mr Rand stumbled backwards and ran in the direction of the synagogue, chased by the defendant”, said the prosecutor, setting out the allegations.
“Mr Rand realised his chest was bleeding and there was blood on his shirt.
“He suffered a puncture lung.”
Suleiman is accused of stabbing Mr Shine a short time later on Golders Green Road.
“Mr Shine was waiting at the bus stop, and he was also wearing traditional Jewish clothing including a kippah”, said Ms Harraway.
“As Mr Shine adjusted his kippah Suleiman ran towards him and set upon him, launching a series of aggressive blows.”
At the hearing on Friday, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Suleiman in custody after he faced the criminal charges for the first time.
Suleiman, who was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s, will be held in custody until the next hearing at the Old Bailey on May 15.
Suleiman, of Camberwell, south London, did not enter pleas to three counts of attempted murder and one charge of possessing a black handled knife in a public place.
The defendant, dressed in a prison-issue grey tracksuit, was accompanied by four security guards during his time in the dock.
He placed his hands on his hips as the judge remanded him in custody, but remained emotionless throughout the court hearing.
Before he was charged, Scotland Yard confirmed that Suleiman was reported to Prevent, the Government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was closed the same year.
Police tasered the suspect after the double stabbing which left both Mr Rand and Mr Shine in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.
Ms Harraway told the court a member of the public had tried to stop the attack after the double stabbing in Golders Green.
Mr Rand told the BBC it was a “miracle” he survived, adding: “I feel like God’s given me back my life.”
He has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after receiving stitches, Rabbi Levi Schapiro from the Jewish Community Council, who has visited both victims, said on social media.
Mr Shine, who was stabbed in the neck, remains in hospital and is in a stable condition.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues.
“We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course.”
The UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on Thursday, meaning a terror attack is “highly likely”.
