An alleged sword attacker appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with the murder of a 14-year-old boy when he went to school.
Marcus Arduini Monzo allegedly ran after Daniel Anjorin and slashed him on the neck and chest as the youngster walked to school.
Monzo, 36, is also said to have injured four other people – including two police officers – in five separate incidents over 20 minutes in Hainaut, in the north-east Londonon April the 30th.
On Tuesday, Monzo appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the court the boy was 'largely decapitated' in the attack.
Dressed in a gray tracksuit, Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian citizen living in Newham, east London, confirmed his name and date of birth as he stood in the dock.
Just before 7am last Tuesday, Monzo is said to have driven a van into a fence in Laing Close, hitting a member of the public, Donato Iwule.
He then allegedly attacked Daniel from behind, cutting his neck and stabbing him in the chest as he lay on the ground.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was 'sharp force trauma to the head'.
When police officers rushed to help the teen, Monzo reportedly appeared from a bush and chased them.
It is alleged he jumped Pc Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, causing 'significant injuries'.
The suspect is then said to have walked through a number of gardens before entering the home of a couple who were sleeping with their four-year-old child.
Monzo allegedly attacked the father, Henry De Los Rios Polania, in the bedroom, causing injuries to his neck and arm.
A second officer, Inspector Moloy Elec Campbell, attempted to arrest the suspect and was also stabbed, it is claimed.
The suspect was tasered and arrested.
Monzo was charged with the murder of Daniel, the attempted murder of Mr Iwule and Pc Mechem-Whitfield, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr De Los Rios Polania and Inspector Campbell.
He was also charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.
Judge Lucraft set a timetable for the case with a plea hearing on July 23 and a three-week preliminary trial at the Old Bailey from February 3 next year.
Monzo was taken into custody.
On Saturday, Daniel's devastated parents released a statement paying tribute to their “beloved and wonderful son.”
They said: 'We as a family are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel.
'It is difficult for us at the moment to come to terms with what happened to him and that he will never come home. Daniel had left home to go to school and then was gone.
“Our children have lost their loving and precious brother and we have lost the most beloved and wonderful son.”
The family sent 'best wishes' to the other victims of the 'unthinkable incident' and thanked the local community for their support.
On Sunday, more than 300 people gathered for a vigil to pay tribute to Daniel.
Arsenal paid one emotional tribute to Daniel ahead of Saturday's kick-off against AFC Bournemouth.
Daniel was a big football fan and particularly admired Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
The 14-year-old was a student at a private individual school Bancroft's in Woodford Green.
It is the same school in east London attended by Grace O'Malley-Kumar, a medical student who was murdered in a knife attack in Nottingham last year. summer.
In a statement on their website, they said: 'We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us deeply shocked and saddened.
“Daniel joined Bancroft's at the age of seven and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, who showed commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.
“His positive nature and gentle nature will leave a lasting impact on us. The loss of such a young student is something we will always struggle with.
“We are now doing everything we can to support our entire community through this most painful situation. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Daniel's family at this incredibly difficult time.”
Headteacher Simon Marshall wrote a letter to parents expressing his 'great sadness and shock' at Daniel's death.
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