London stabbings: Essa Suleiman, 45, charged with attempted murder over Golders Green attack
Synopsis
A formal terrorism declaration, a raised national threat level, and now a charged suspect — the Golders Green stabbing of two Jewish men on 29 April has escalated rapidly into one of the UK's most serious antisemitic incidents in recent memory. With Essa Suleiman due at the Old Bailey on 15 May, the case is set to test Britain's counter-terrorism framework under intense public scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Essa Suleiman , 45, a British national born in Somalia, was charged on 1 May with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article over the Golders Green stabbings of 29 April .
Two Jewish men — aged 76 and 34 — were stabbed; the 34-year-old has been discharged while the 76-year-old remains in hospital in a stable condition .
The attack in Golders Green has been formally declared a terrorist incident ; Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation.
The UK terrorist threat level has been raised to severe , meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
Suleiman is remanded in custody and is next due at the Old Bailey on 15 May .
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack "utterly appalling" and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, was charged with attempted murder on Friday, 1 May after allegedly stabbing two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, in what authorities have formally declared a terrorist incident. The charges follow an attack on 29 April that left two men — aged 76 and 34 — hospitalised with stab wounds.
The Charges
According to a statement released by London's Metropolitan Police, Suleiman faces two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place in connection with the Golders Green attack. He has additionally been charged with a further count of attempted murder relating to a separate incident the same day on Great Dover Street.
Suleiman appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday and was remanded in custody. He is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 15 May.
What Happened on 29 April
Officers responded to reports of stabbings on Highfield Avenue, Golders Green, on Wednesday. The two victims — aged 76 and 34 — were treated at the scene for stab wounds before being taken to hospital. The 34-year-old has since been discharged, while the 76-year-old remains hospitalised in a stable condition.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the suspect was reportedly armed with a knife and is believed to have had an altercation with an occupant at an address before leaving, during which the occupant sustained minor injuries. Officers arrived within approximately six minutes of being called. Suleiman was subsequently located and tasered before arrest. Searches at addresses connected to the suspect had initially failed to locate him.
Counter Terrorism Policing Response
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said:
Point of View
And this case underscores how that climate can translate into lethal street violence. The speed of the charge — within days of the attack — reflects counter-terrorism policing priorities, but the real accountability test comes at the Old Bailey on 15 May, where the evidence must withstand full judicial scrutiny. The involvement of community responders Shomrim and Hatzola, acknowledged by the Prime Minister himself, also raises questions about whether statutory policing of Jewish neighbourhoods has kept pace with the threat environment.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Essa Suleiman and what has he been charged with?
Essa Suleiman is a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia who has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place. The charges relate to the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, London, on 29 April, as well as a separate incident the same day on Great Dover Street.
What happened in the Golders Green stabbing on 29 April?
Two Jewish men, aged 76 and 34, were stabbed on Highfield Avenue in Golders Green, north London, on 29 April. Both were treated at the scene and taken to hospital; the 34-year-old has since been discharged while the 76-year-old remains in a stable condition. The Metropolitan Police have formally declared the attack a terrorist incident.
Has the UK terror threat level changed following the attack?
Yes. The UK terrorist threat level has been raised to severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely, according to a statement released by British Transport Police following the Golders Green incident.
What did Prime Minister Keir Starmer say about the attack?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as 'utterly appalling' and stated that 'attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.' He thanked community organisations Shomrim and Hatzola, as well as the police, for acting swiftly, and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice.
When will Essa Suleiman next appear in court?
Suleiman appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 1 May and was remanded in custody. He is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 15 May 2025.
