Golders Green attack suspect to stand trial on March 1, 2027

Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb set the trial date for 1 March 2027 at the Old Bailey. There will be a plea and trial preparation hearing on 25 September 2026. Suleiman’s home address at the time of the attacks cannot be published for legal reasons.

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

Prosecutors allege Essa Suleiman travelled by public transport to Golders Green and attempted to murder two men wearing clothing typical of the Orthodox Jewish community. He is accused of first attacking Shloime Rand, 34, who suffered a punctured lung, and then stabbing Moshe Shine, 76, who sustained injuries to the head, neck, chest and abdomen. He is also accused of having a knife in a public place in Golders Green on the same morning. Earlier on the same day, he is alleged to have stabbed Ishmail Hussein at his flat in Southwark, with Hussein suffering minor injuries. Suleiman and Hussein had known each other for many years and are both members of the Somali community in south London.