Yahoo News What we know about Hainault sword attack as survivor recalls confrontation
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo has appeared in court after being charged with the murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin.
* This article contains details some readers may find distressing *
A man who suffered serious hand injuries when an attacker broke into his home in Hainault has revealed how he protected his family from danger.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, woke to find a man brandishing a sword inside his home on 30 April. De Los Rios Polania said the man was standing in front of him and he immediately looked for something to defend his wife and four-year-old daughter, who were also in the house.
He told the BBC on 8 May: “I thought I was going to die... even my wife and child. We thought we were going to die that morning."
While making it clear he could not go into detail about what happened in the bedroom due to the ongoing police investigation, he recalled how he only found “pillows and teddy bears” as he searched for something to protect his family. De Los Rios Polania suffered severe hand injuries during the attack and underwent nearly 10 hours as surgeons battled to save his hand. His wife and daughter were not injured in the attack.
De Los Rios Polania was released from hospital on Wednesday but he told the BBC he still has not returned home – and may have to look for a new place to live due to the trauma his family suffered.
He added: "We need to continue with our lives. All I know is that the next house I'm going to get into, I'll just make it really safe. I don't want anyone to come from the outside.”
Daniel Anjorin, 14, died during the 20-minute attack last month. Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, 36, was arrested and charged with murder and appeared in court this week.
Here's what we know about the case so far.
What we know
Just before 7am on 30 April, Monzo allegedly crashed a van into a fence in Laing Close, close to Hainault Underground Station, hitting member of the public, Donato Iwule. He then allegedly attacked Daniel from behind, slashing his neck and stabbing him in the chest as he lay on the ground.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the Old Bailey on 7 May, that the boy was “largely decapitated”. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was “sharp force trauma to the head”.
When police officers rushed to help the teenager, Monzo allegedly appeared from a bush and chased them. It is alleged he jumped out at PC Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, causing “significant injuries”.
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The defendant then allegedly made his way across a number of gardens before entering the home of De Los Rios Polania and attacked him.
A second officer, Inspector Moloy Elec Campbell, attempted to apprehend the defendant and was also stabbed with the sword, it is alleged. The defendant was tasered and arrested. Police said a female officer nearly lost her hand during the confrontation. The injured officers are “recuperating well”, police said.
On 1 May, Monzo was charged with the murder of Daniel, after the assailant of the Hainault attack was tasered by police and taken to hospital with injuries.
Monzo was charged with Daniel’s murder, the attempted murder of Iwule and PC Mechem-Whitfield, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to De Los Rios Polania and Inspector Campbell.
On 7 May, Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national living in Newham, east London, appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC. A plea hearing will take place on 23 July and a provisional three-week trial at the Old Bailey will take place from 3 February next year. Monzo was remanded into custody.
Tributes
Daniel’s devastated parents issued a statement on May 4 paying tribute to their “loved and amazing son”.
They said: “We as a family are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel. It is difficult for us at this time to process what has happened to him and that he will never come home. Daniel had left the house for school and then he was gone.
“Our children have lost their loving and precious brother and we have lost the most loved and amazing son.”
The family sent “best wishes” for the other victims of the “unthinkable incident” and thanked the local community for their support.
On Sunday, 5 May, more than 300 people gathered at a vigil to pay tribute to Daniel. Mourners gathered at the Hainault Tube station car park, just metres away from where the incident happened. Arsenal football club also led tributes to Daniel, who was a fan of the London club, ahead of their Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The schoolboy was attacked on his way to Bancroft's, an independent school in Woodford Green, east London, which said in a statement: "We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow.
“He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits. His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us.”
