Trial date confirmed for man accused of murdering schoolboy during sword rampage

Marcus Arduini Monzo allegedly ran up behind Daniel Anjorin as he walked to school and slashed him in the chest and neck.

Daniel Anjorin was fatally injured as he walked to school in Hainault (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Wire)

A man accused of murdering a 14-year-old boy and attacking four others during a 20-minute rampage with two Japanese swords is facing a provisional trial next year, a judge has confirmed.

Marcus Arduini Monzo allegedly ran up behind Daniel Anjorin as he walked to school and slashed him in the chest and neck, virtually decapitating him.

Monzo, 36, also allegedly attacked four other people – including two police officers – during a series of incidents over 20 minutes in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30.

On Monday, the bearded defendant appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from custody for a hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

The dual Spanish-Brazilian national living in Newham, east London, faces 10 charges but was not asked to enter pleas and spoke only to confirm his identity.

He is accused of Daniel’s murder, the attempted murders Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and Pc Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, and wounding Inspector Moloy Campbell with intent.

He is also charged with aggravated burglary, possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife and two charges of having an offensive weapons, a katana sword and a tanto katana sword.

During the hearing, Monzo confirmed his identity and Judge Lucraft confirmed a provisional trial date of February 3 next year with a time estimate of up to four weeks.

The judge set a further case management hearing for Friday December 6 and further remanded Monzo into custody.

Previously, the court has heard that Monzo allegedly crashed a van into a fence in Laing Close, hitting Mr Iwule, just before 7am on April 30.

He then allegedly attacked Daniel from behind, slashing his neck and stabbing him in the chest as he lay on the ground.

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 Mechem-Whitfield, causing “significant injuries”.

The defendant then allegedly made his way across a number of gardens before entering the home of Mr De Los Rios Polania and Ms Arias who were asleep at the time.

A second officer, Inspector Campbell, was stabbed with a sword during an attempt to apprehend the defendant, it is alleged.