Man charged over London mosque stabbing

The accused is due in court on Saturday

A man has been charged over a stabbing which took place inside London’s Central Mosque on Thursday afternoon during prayers.

Daniel Horton, 29, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Raafat Maglad, who is in his 70s, suffered stab injuries and was treated in hospital after the incident.

Mr Maglad, who has been a muezzin for 30 years, checked himself out of hospital within 24 hours of the stabbing and returned to the mosque for Friday prayers.

Describing the attack, Mr Maglad said: “I just felt blood flowing from my neck and that’s it, they rushed me to the hospital. Everything happened all of a sudden.”

Mr Maglad said as a Muslim he does not hold any hatred in his heart, adding that it was “very important” for him to attend Friday prayers.

Agencies contributed to this report