Teenager was ‘largely decapitated’ in London sword attack

The man charged with murdering a 14-year-old boy during a sword attack in north-east London “largely decapitated” his victim, a court has heard.

Marcos Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, accused of murdering Daniel Anjorin as he walked to school in Hainault seven days ago.

The teenager, who was a pupil at Bancroft’s independent school, died as a result of “sharp force trauma” to the head and was “largely decapitated” in the attack, the court heard.

Mr Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian dual national from Newham, east London, is also facing two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article. He appeared before Judge Lucraft for a 10-minute hearing at which a trial date of Feb 3 was set.

Mr Monzo, who was wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit and was flanked by three dock officers, spoke only to confirm his name and give his date of birth.

Outlining the case, Tom Little KC said the charges facing the defendant covered a period of around 20 minutes and began when a van was deliberately driven at a member of the public who was knocked into a garden.

He went on: “The defendant then gets out of the van with a sword. The victim says ‘I don’t know you’, the defendant says ‘I don’t care, I will kill you’ and then attacks him with the sword.

“Shortly after that Daniel Anjorin is walking to school and he is attacked from behind with the use of a sword to the neck and head, largely decapitating the 14-year-old boy.”

Mr Little explained that the defendant was then accused of attacking a paramedic before breaking into the home of a stranger and attacking a man in his bedroom in front of his wife and baby.

Mr Monzo is further accused of attacking two police officers before he was Tasered and arrested.

He is next due before the Old Bailey for a plea hearing on July 23.