Revealed: Girl, 11, stabbed eight times in Leicester Square attack is an Australian who was on holiday in London with her family
An 11-year-old girl stabbed eight times with a steak knife in Leicester Square has been revealed to be an Australian tourist who was on holiday with her family.
The victim, who will require plastic surgery, was allegedly put in a headlock by Ioan Pintaru, 32, who is accused of attacking her before being restrained by members of the public and arrested by police.
The girl, from New South Wales, was left with injuries to the face, shoulder, wrist and neck after the 'random attack' at the London tourist spot with her mother, 34, on Monday at 11.34am.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said the girl's family is receiving consular assistance.
Pintaru, of no fixed abode, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
Ioan Pintaru, 32, allegedly put the girl, 11, in a headlock before attacking her on Monday
A court artist's sketch of Ioan Pintaru appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday
Police officers stand in front of the cordoned-off area in London's Leicester Square on Monday
Police were seen detaining a man in Leicester Square after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed on Monday
He wore a grey prison-issue sweatshirt and the court heard he is a Romanian citizen.
The charges were read to him through an interpreter during the ten-minute hearing.
Pintaru was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on September 10.
He has a four-year-old child who lives in Manchester, but he is currently homeless.
David Burns, prosecuting, told the court that a woman and her 11-year-old daughter - who are from New South Wales in Australia - were in Leicester Square as tourists.
He said the defendant 'approached the 11-year-old girl, placed her into a headlock', adding: 'He's then stabbed her eight times to the body.
'She sustained wounds to the face, shoulder, wrist and neck area. Fortunately members of the public intervened, which prevented any further injury being made to the child.'
Mr Burns said officers were called and 'found the defendant being held by the members of the public'.
The prosecutor added: 'He was detained and searched and found a knife on his person.
'In relation to the complainant - she was taken to hospital and she currently resides in hospital where she's undergoing treatment.
'I understand that she required plastic surgery for the injuries she sustained.'
District Judge Michael Snow described the incident as a 'random attack on a child'.
Ioan Pintaru appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl
Discarded clothing and emergency medical equipment in the TWG Tea shop on Monday
He told Pintaru: 'These charges must be tried at the Central Criminal Court. You must remain in custody pending that appearance.'
The girl's 34-year-old mother was initially thought to have also been hurt but blood from her daughter's injuries was mistaken for injuries of her own, the Metropolitan Police said.
The girl went to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Detectives added that that there was no suggestion the incident was terror-related, and they do not believe the suspect and the victims were known to each other.
A police cordon sealing off the crime scene on Monday surrounded the double doors of the TWG Tea shop, which is beside the Lego store and in front of the M&Ms store.
Leicester Square and the surrounding area attracts an estimated 2.5million visitors every week and is home to shops, theatres, cinemas and restaurants.
Police officers at the scene in London's Leicester Square on Monday after a man was arrested
An aerial view of the police cordon at the scene in London's Leicester Square on Monday
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said: 'This is a horrific incident and our thoughts are with the victims and their family. We will continue to provide support to them over the coming days and weeks.
'I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident. They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.
'An urgent investigation is now ongoing and detectives are working to establish the details around exactly what happened.'
Witnesses or anyone with footage or images of the incident have been asked to call 101 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, ref 2745/12AUG
