Golders Green attack suspect to stand trial next year

The man accused of attempting to murder two Jewish people in Golders Green and a friend of his from the Somali community in south London will stand trial in March next year.

Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of stabbing Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, during an attack in north London on 29 April.

Suleiman is also accused of attempting to murder a friend Ishmail Hussein at his flat in Southwark, hours before the Golders Green incident.

Appearing at the Old Bailey by video link from Belmarsh Prison, Suleiman confirmed his name and date of birth and sat with his arms folded. He will remain in custody.

Suleiman and Hussein had known each other for many years. Both are members of the Somali community in south London. Hussein suffered minor injuries.

The defendant is then accused of travelling by public transport to Golders Green in north London and attempting to murder two men who were wearing clothing typical of the Orthodox Jewish community.

He is accused of first attacking Rand, 34, who suffered a punctured lung, and then stabbing Shine, 76, who suffered injuries to his head, neck, chest and abdomen.

He is also accused of having a knife in a public place in Golders Green on the same morning.

Suleiman's home address at the time of the attacks cannot be published for legal reasons.

It is supported accommodation in south London for people who have been released from secure psychiatric hospitals.

It is in the area served by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb set the trial date for 1 March 2027 at the Old Bailey.

There will be plea and trial preparation hearing on 25 September.