In a shocking incident that unfolded on August 12 of last year, Ioan-Alexandru Pintaru, a 33-year-old homeless man, carried out a brutal attack on a young girl in Leicester Square. The attack occurred just as she was leaving the LEGO store, a place typically associated with joy and creativity rather than violence.

Pintaru, seemingly in a frenzied state, grabbed the girl in a headlock and inflicted multiple stab wounds to her eye, neck, chest, and shoulder, resulting in severe injuries. The viciousness of the attack left both physical and emotional scars.

During the court proceedings, the girl’s mother provided a vivid account of the harrowing event. She described Pintaru’s assault on her daughter as relentless, noting that he attacked “like a jackhammer, repeatedly stabbing.” Her words painted a picture of a man who appeared “wide-eyed and manic,” as if possessed by an unstoppable force.

Further examination revealed that Pintaru was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the attack. He maintained that he did not harbor any intention to harm anyone, claiming instead that he was under the delusion that people were trying to kill him. This diagnosis adds a complex layer to the case, highlighting the challenges of dealing with mental health issues and the potential consequences when they remain untreated.

Pintaru was later diagnosed as schizophrenic, but claimed he believed people were trying to kill him, and that he did not intend to hurt anyone.

Pintaru was charged with, and later convicted of, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article after pleading guilty to both counts in October.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act with an additional restriction order under Section 41.

This means he could be detained indefinitely.

The violence of the attack was particularly shocking, according to police.

“It was a savage and brutal attack that left the city in shock,” Detective Constable Laura Nicoll said.