A 32-year-old man is on trial for attempted murder after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed to death in London’s Leicester Square on Monday.

Ioan Pintaru, a Romanian national without a fixed address, is also charged with possession of a knife object.

The prosecutor told the court that Mr Pintaru allegedly put the girl in a headlock and stabbed her eight times. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court has remanded Mr Pintaru in custody. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey in September.

The court heard that Mr Pintaru allegedly approached two tourists – the girl and her mother – in Leicester Square at around 11.30am (CET).

The court was told that the girl suffered injuries to her face, shoulder, neck and wrist in the attack.

She is still in hospital and will likely need to undergo cosmetic surgery due to her injuries, the court heard.

Through an interpreter, Mr Pintaru merely confirmed his name and date of birth and stated that he had no fixed address.