London knife attack: 11-year-old girl’s attacker detained indefinitely

Published: 17 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A man who “furiously and repeatedly” stabbed an eleven-year-old Australian girl in London’s Leicester Square has been ordered detained indefinitely. The attack occurred last August while the child was visiting the city with her mother. She had just left a Lego store when 33-year-old Ioan Pintaru, of no fixed address, approached her, placed her in a headlock, and stabbed her eight times across the face, neck, and chest.

The child described fearing she would die as Pintaru struck her with brutal force. He pleaded guilty in October to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife. At the Old Bailey on Tuesday, he was sentenced to a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, along with a restriction order under section 41, meaning he can now be held indefinitely.

Judge Richard Marks KC highlighted the profound trauma experienced by the victim and her mother. A victim impact statement from the mother detailed how she believed her daughter was being killed in front of her and how the memory continues to affect her daily life. She said she constantly scans for danger and struggles to allow her daughter independence, describing the lasting shadow over their lives caused by the attack.

Letters from Pintaru’s mother and his priest in Romania were read in court, offering some context for his mental health history. Although Pintaru originally faced attempted murder charges, the prosecution decided that his psychosis at the time meant intent to kill could not be established. Consequently, the crown offered no evidence on the attempted murder count.

The mother recounted how Pintaru stabbed her daughter “furiously and repeatedly” with his arm moving “like a jackhammer.” She described his expression as “crazed and vacant” and “wide-eyed and manic,” believing he intended to kill. The attack was stopped by a nearby shop security guard, Abdullah, who grabbed the knife and, with help from two other men, pinned Pintaru down until police arrived. A passing nurse also assisted in stemming the victim’s bleeding.

Judge Marks commended Abdullah for his bravery and ordered a £1,000 public reward for his actions. The girl, now thirteen, has physically recovered from her injuries, but the court noted she continues to bear “invisible scars.” Pintaru became visibly distressed when police mentioned showing him CCTV footage of the attack, crying and refusing to view images of the harm he caused.

Pintaru had a history of psychiatric treatment in Romania. In post-attack assessments, he stated he did not intend to commit the offence but believed he was being followed and that the only way to protect himself was to get imprisoned. The court accepted these assessments, leading to his current indefinite hospital detention. The case underscores the severe impact of violent attacks on victims and the crucial role of bystanders in preventing further harm.