Leytonstone Tube attack: Man denies attempted murder

Muhaydin Mire, 30, denied attempting to murder a man in his fifties but admitted trying to stab four people at Leytonstone Tube station in December

Image of the accused, 29-year-old Muhaydin Mire

A man has admitted attempting to stab four people at an east London Tube station but denied trying to murder a man in the same attack.

Muhaydin Mire, 30, denied attempting to murder a man in his fifties during an attack at Leytonstone Tube station on 5 December last year.

Mire denied one count of murder but admitted four counts of attempted wounding while appearing at London’s Old Bailey via video link from prison. He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas.

Mire, of Sansom Road, Leytonstone, is accused of punching the alleged attempted murder victim to the ground and repeatedly kicking the man before allegedly cutting a 12cm wound in his neck.

The victim, who has not been named, underwent five hours of surgery after the attack.

The defendant allegedly brandished the knife at other members of the public before being Tasered three times by police.

The majority of the incident was captured on mobile phone footage, which circulated widely on social media.

Three people, believed to be members of his family, sat in the public gallery before the hearing.

The case has been adjourned until 31 May and the trial is expected to last two weeks.

Additional reporting by Press Association