Man Accused of Attempted Murders of Jewish Men in Golders Green and Somali Friend to Stand Trial in 2027

A man charged with attempting to murder two Jewish men in Golders Green and a friend from the Somali community in south London will stand trial in March 2027.

Essa Suleiman, 45, is accused of stabbing Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, during an attack in north London on April 29.

Suleiman also faces charges of attempting to murder Ishmail Hussein at his flat in Southwark, hours before the Golders Green incident.

Suleiman and Hussein had known each other for many years. Both are members of the Somali community in south London. Hussein suffered minor injuries.

The defendant then traveled by public transport to Golders Green in north London. He is accused of attempting to murder two men wearing clothing typical of the Orthodox Jewish community.

Prosecutors say he first attacked Rand, who suffered a punctured lung, then stabbed Shine, who sustained injuries to his head, neck, chest and abdomen.

Suleiman also is charged with possessing a knife in a public place in Golders Green that morning.

Appearing at the Old Bailey by video link from Belmarsh Prison, Suleiman confirmed his name and date of birth. He sat with his arms folded and will remain in custody.

Suleiman's home address at the time of the attacks cannot be published for legal reasons. It is supported accommodation in south London for people released from secure psychiatric hospitals, in an area served by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb set the trial date for March 1, 2027, at the Old Bailey.