Woman faces Stephen Timms stabbing charges

A woman appeared in court today accused of attempting to murder Labour MP Stephen Timms.

Roshonara Choudhary, 21, of Central Park Road, East Ham, east London, is accused of stabbing Mr Timms at one of his surgeries last Friday.

Stratford Magistrates' Court heard that she made an appointment to see the MP with two kitchen knives in her bag.

As she put out her left hand to shake his, she allegedly withdrew a knife from her bag with her right hand and stabbed him.

Wearing a red headscarf and glasses, Choudhary spoke only to confirm her name and address. She is also accused of possession of an offensive weapon.

Choudhary lives with her parents and four siblings, who are aged ten to 19, the court was told.

She was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 1.

Mr Timms had surgery on stab wounds to his stomach at the Royal London Hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said the operation went well and that he is expected to be discharged in the next few days.