Trial dropped for man who stabbed girl in West End

Ioan Pintaru, 33, will not face trial for the attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in a knife attack in London's West End. The prosecution informed the court that the charge would not proceed, leading to a scheduled sentencing on December 16. Pintaru, a Romanian national, previously pleaded guilty to charges of wounding the girl with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife. The attack occurred on August 12, 2024, as the girl exited a Lego store in Leicester Square, where Pintaru allegedly placed her in a headlock and stabbed her eight times. Members of the public intervened, disarming Pintaru until police arrived.

The victim received treatment for injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck. Pintaru currently resides in a high-security hospital in Liverpool and did not attend the hearing. The victim's family plans to join the sentencing hearing via video link from Australia.