A former Swindon security guard has been charged following a double stabbing in London, which is being treated as a terrorist attack.
45-year-old Somali-born British national Essa Suleiman faces three allegations of attempting to murder three men Wednesday (29 April)
It comes after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, and another was attacked elsewhere.
The defendant was born in Somalia. He came to the UK legally as a child in the early 1990s and is now a British citizen, it has been confirmed.
He lived in Swindon for in the 2000s, and worked as a security guard.
Suleiman is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 1 May 2026.
Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “We have authorised two charges of attempted murder against Essa Suleiman, and one of possession of a knife, after two men were stabbed in Golders Green, north west London, on Wednesday, 29 April.
“We have also authorised an attempted murder charge relating to another man on the same day in a different location.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command as it carried out its investigation.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Previously, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the suspect had been referred to Prevent, the Government’s counter-extremism programme.
A spokesperson said: “We can confirm the suspect was known to the Prevent programme and was subject to a Prevent referral in 2020, which was closed in the same year.
“Given the investigation remains ongoing, we will not be providing any further information in respect of this matter at this time and we remain focused on securing justice for the victims of this attack.”
Prevent places a legal duty on public bodies to identify individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into extremism.
Professionals including teachers, social workers, faith leaders and healthcare staff are required to refer concerns to a local Prevent panel if they believe someone may be at risk.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has since raised the UK’s terrorism threat level to severe. This means an attack is considered highly likely within the next six months.
