LONDON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — London police said that they had charged a 29-year-old man in the stabbing of a prayer leader at a mosque in Park Road.
Daniel Horton, 29, charged with section 18 GBH and possession of a bladed article, appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Feb 22, Police said.
Raafat Maglad, 70, the prayer leader who was stabbed around the top of his shoulder by the attacker, said that he did not hate his attacker and felt sorry for him.
“I just felt blood flowing from my neck and that’s it, they rushed me to the hospital. Everything happened all of a sudden,” Maglad said.
According to a witness, around 100 worshippers were in the mosque hall at the time of the attack on Thursday and some 20 people jumped on the assailant.
“I heard screaming,” said the witness, who declined to give his full name, “and then we saw the blood”.
“The attacker was apprehended by the worshippers until the police arrived and arrested him,” the London Central Mosque Trust said in a statement.
London’s Metropolitan Police said detectives did not believe the incident was terrorism-related.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the incident and said he was deeply saddened to hear of the attack.
“It’s so awful that this should happen, especially in a place of worship. My thoughts are with the victim and all those affected,” Johnson said on Twitter on Thursday.
Horton, who is homeless, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier accused of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
Prosecutor Tanyia Dogra told the court the victim and defendant were known to each other because Horton had been attending the mosque for a number of years.
The accused, whom the court heard had been sleeping rough since last year, was remanded into custody.
He is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court on March 20.
The court was told Maglad had suffered a 1.5cm wound to his neck.
He was taken to hospital for treatment before returning to the mosque for prayers the next day.
Maglad who is a muezzin – someone who calls Muslims to prayer – said it was “very important” for him to attend Friday prayers.
“If I miss it, I just miss something very important,” Maglad said.
