- Woman is seriously hurt in random sword attack in north London
- Ahla Timofei, 25, will appear in front of magistrates tomorrow
- Police praised a lone officer who bravely tackled the man
- Local residents described hearing the woman scream 'like an animal'
By Steve Nolan
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A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked with a samurai sword.
Ahla Timofei, 25, of Marylebone, central London, was charged today with two counts of attempted murder.
He will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Police were called to Holloway Road early yesterday to find the woman bleeding heavily on ground.
Horror attack: A police picture of the samurai-type sword used to attack a 22-year-old woman in Holloway Road, north London. A 25-year-old man has been charged in connection with the attack
The 22-year-old victim suffered a number of wounds to the legs, arms and face, and was described as being in a serious, but not life-threatening, condition in hospital.
Her parents have travelled from Italy to be with her
Residents living close to the scene in Holloway Road, north London, described hearing a woman screaming 'like an animal' as she was slashed repeatedly with a two foot long sword.
A lone policeman bravely stepped in and tackled the attacker while the woman lay bleeding heavily on the floor following the attack.
The sergeant tackled a man and escaped unhurt despite his best efforts to attack the policeman with the sword.
Local resident Steven Oltay, 19, said he thought he heard the attack take place from his flat nearby.
Police cordon: The scene on Holloway Road close to the junction with Mercers Road was still closed off by police last night
Scene of the crime: The attack happened in Holloway Road, close to the junction with Mercers Road shortly after midnight
He said: 'I was woken up last night by a woman screaming. Horrific screams, like an animal.
'I thought it was someone being murdered and almost ran out but decided against it.'
Police have praised the quick thinking sergeant for his bravery in tackling the armed man.
Police were called to the scene close to the junction with Mercer Road just before 12.40am.
When the sergeant reached the scene he spotted a man wielding the sword close to the woman who was injured on the floor.
Detective Superintendent Steve Wallace said: 'This was a vicious unprovoked stranger attack on a defenceless woman and if it had not been for the officers bravery and quick thinking the woman and other members of the public could have been killed.
'It takes a very brave officer to tackle a man who you know wants to inflict serious injuries to you with a samurai sword.
'Courage such as this is above and beyond the call of duty and I can't commend the officer highly enough.
'The fact that the officer was unarmed and alone when he tackled the man only underlines his bravery.
'He recognised the threat posed by this man and in a conscious act, positioned himself between the suspect and the public to prevent anyone else being seriously injured.
'Thankfully, this type of incident is rare in London but the public should be reassured that our officers are willing to put themselves in danger to protect the public.'
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