Updated 20.58
A MAN WHO appeared in court today charged with attempted murder after a stabbing at London Underground train station was allegedly found with pictures associated with the Islamic State group on his phone.
Muhaydin Mire, 29, from east London, is accused of attempting to murder a 56-year-old man at Leytonstone station on Saturday night.
He was driven to court in a police van escorted by other vehicles which went into the court building through a back entrance and appeared at the Old Bailey wearing a light grey T-shirt and tracksuit trousers.
During a brief hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Mire was remanded in custody until Friday when he will again appear at the Old Bailey in London, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Prosecutors allege that Mire punched his victim to the ground and repeatedly kicked him before taking hold of the victim’s head and cutting a 12-centimetre wound in his neck.
The victim, referred to in court as Male A, was in surgery for five hours after the attack, the prosecution said.
Prosecutors also allege that images and flags associated with IS jihadists were subsequently found on Mire’s mobile phone.
Increased patrols
Police have increased patrols at transport hubs following the incident at Leytonstone station, a suburban stop on the Central Line, one of London Underground’s busiest.
“The safety of the travelling public remains our top priority,” said transport police spokesman Mark Newton.
Patrols “involve both uniformed and plain-clothed officers, supported by other resources, such as armed officers, police dogs, a network of CCTV cameras, and the thousands of rail staff we work alongside.
“We ask the public to remain calm and carry on using public transport as normal.”
Britain’s official national threat level from international terrorism was raised in August 2014 to severe, the second highest of five levels, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
https://vine.co/v/i7g6r03QWdK
Speaking at Burton in central England, British Prime Minister David Cameron voiced his thanks for a bystander in Leytonstone station who shouted a phrase at the suspect that later went viral on social media.
“Some of us have dedicated speeches and media appearances and soundbites and everything to this subject, but ‘you ain’t no Muslim, bruv’ said it all much better than I could have done,” Cameron said.
- © AFP, 2015. Comments are closed as the incident is now before the courts.
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