Trial date confirmed for man who allegedly murdered a student with a sword during a rampage

A man accused of murdering a 14-year-old boy and attacking four others with two Japanese swords during a 20-minute rampage will face a preliminary trial next year, a judge confirmed.

Marcus Arduini Monzo is said to have approached Daniel Anjorin from behind on his way to school and cut his chest and neck, practically decapitating him.

Monzo, 36, is also alleged to have attacked four other people, including two police officers, in a series of incidents that lasted more than 20 minutes in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30.

On Monday, the bearded defendant appeared via video link from custody at the Old Bailey for a hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

The Spanish-Brazilian national, who lives in Newham, east London, faces 10 charges but was not asked to confess and spoke only to confirm his identity.

He is accused of the murder of Daniel, the attempted murder of Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and PC Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, and the intentional assault of Inspector Moloy Campbell.

He is also charged with aggravated burglary, possession of a bladed article in connection with a kitchen knife, and two counts of possession of offensive weapons, a katana sword and a tanto katana sword.

During the hearing, Monzo confirmed his identity and Judge Lucraft confirmed a tentative trial date of February 3 next year, with an estimated duration of up to four weeks.

The judge scheduled another case hearing for Friday, December 6, and ordered additional detention for Monzo.

The court had previously heard that just before 7am on 30 April, Monzo allegedly drove a van into a fence in Laing Close, hitting Mr Iwule.

He then allegedly attacked Daniel from behind, slit his throat and stabbed him in the chest while he was lying on the ground.

As police rushed to the teenager's aid, Monzo allegedly emerged from a bush and pursued them.

It is alleged that he jumped out at PC Mechem-Whitfield and caused “significant injuries”.

The accused then crossed several gardens before entering the house of Mr De Los Rios Polania and Mrs Arias, who were asleep at the time.

A second officer, Inspector Campbell, was stabbed with a sword while attempting to arrest the accused, it is said.