Man who stabbed girl eight times in Leicester Square won't face attempted murder trial

A man who stabbed an 11-year-old girl in a random attack in Leicester Square will no longer face trial for attempted murder.

The Australian child was on holiday with her mother in London when Ioan Pintaru allegedly put her in a headlock and stabbed her eight times as she left a Lego shop. A member of the public disarmed the Romanian national and pinned him to the ground until police arrived.

The girl suffered face, neck, shoulder and wrist injuries during the attack on 12 August 2024. Pintaru, 33, of no fixed address, previously admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife.

However, he denied attempted murder and his trial was due to start at the Old Bailey on Monday. Judge Richard Marks KC said today that prosecutors had indicated the attempted murder charge would "not be proceeded with".

The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that evidence from psychiatrists means it now won't be able to prove Pintaru "specifically intended to kill". The defendant, who's at a high-security hospital in Liverpool, was not at Tuesday's hearing.

A sentencing date for the other charges was set for 16 December. Read more from Sky News:Afghan national arrested after man dies in Uxbridge stabbingFamily of pregnant British teen pay £138k to cut jail term A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson 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.

"The decision to accept a guilty plea to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was taken after carefully reviewing evidence provided by two separate expert psychiatrists. "The impact of the expert evidence meant that we could not prove that Pintaru specifically intended to kill, which is an essential element of an attempted murder offence.

"We explained our decision to the family in detail and will continue to assist and support them.".