The man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy in the Hainaut sword disaster is a ‘mystic’ who dressed up as Robin Hood to play archery weeks before the attack.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with Daniel’s murder, along with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.
Four others were injured during Tuesday’s 22-minute rampage, including a heroic female police officer who almost lost a hand.
Monzo is an amateur musician and self-described “mystic” who dressed as Robin Hood for an archery competition weeks before the attack.
Flanked by three burly male port officers and one woman, the dual Spanish-Brazilian national wore a gray prison-appropriate tracksuit and held his left hand to his chest throughout the seven-minute hearing.
When asked to confirm his full name, he replied very slowly, “My full name?” As far as I can remember it’s Marcus Aurielo Audini.’
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish and Brazilian citizen, poses with his medals after winning a sports competition
The suspect walked around dressed up in a video he posted on social media
Monzo is also accused of forcing his way into a home where a couple was sleeping with their four-year-old daughter and attacking her father during the rampage, the court heard.
David Burns, prosecuting, said Monzo allegedly drove a van at high speed towards Donato Iwule, who was walking on the street, before getting out of the vehicle and punching him around the neck, causing an injury that required treatment in hospital required.
Monzo then forced entry into the bedroom of a couple sleeping with their four-year-old child and slashed the father in the neck, prosecutors said.
Mr Burns said he shouted: ‘If you don’t believe in God, he will harm you.’
The prosecutor added: ‘He then left the scene and attacked Daniel Anjorin, a schoolboy on his way to school.’
It is alleged he stabbed him in the neck and chest.
The court heard that while officers were treating Daniel’s injuries, Monzo appeared from a bush and attacked a female police officer with the weapon as she lay on the ground.
A second officer named Moloy Campbell was also injured, the court heard.
Senior District Judge and Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said: ‘I am going to send your case, all seven charges, to the Central Criminal Court, you may know it as the Old Bailey.
“I have no power to consider bail. You will therefore be taken into custody and will appear before the Central Criminal Court on May 7.”
Social media photos show Monzo smiling and giving a thumbs up with a collection of medals around his neck after success in a sporting competition.
Daniel Anjorin, pictured here with his mother Grace, was tragically killed during an attack in Hainaut on Tuesday
Daniel, pictured here in a red and blue Spiderman costume, was on his way to school when he was attacked
The boy, pictured here on a family outing, was leaving his home just before 7am when he was caught up in the horrific ordeal
Daniel attended the £24,990-a-year Bancroft’s school in Woodford Green
On Boxing Day last year, he posted another video on the same Instagram page of himself wearing a Robin Hood costume during an archery competition. He spoke Portuguese while joking with friends.
Elsewhere on social media, Monzo describes himself as a ‘mystic and musician’.
He also lists himself as director of a London-based company that has since been dissolved.
Daniel was remembered last night as a ‘true scholar’ with a ‘gentle character’ – as well-wishers raised more than £28,000 on GoFundMe for a celebration of his life.
The 14-year-old was said to bring a smile to faces whenever he entered the room, as he was described as a ‘much loved’ boy who brought joy to his family and was an ‘admirable’ student at his prestigious independent school. .
Daniel attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green, the £24,999-a-year school which flew its flag at half-mast yesterday as flowers were laid by fellow students.
His heartbroken parents are relying on their deep Christian faith to cope with their deep shock and grief over his murder, family friends revealed.
Bancroft’s School said on its website: ‘We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of Daniel’s death. This has left us deeply shocked and saddened.
“He joined Bancroft’s at the age of seven and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, who showed commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.
“His positive nature and gentle nature will leave a lasting impact on us. The loss of such a young student is something we will always struggle with.” Grace O’Malley-Kumar, the 19-year-old victim of the Nottingham stabbing, was also a student of the Bancroft’s.
A photo of a man holding a sword as he prowls the streets of Hainaut on Tuesday
Dramatic CCTV footage emerged showing the sword-wielding man being tasered and arrested by police
Officers can be seen demanding that the man drop his weapon as he stands in front of a garage, sword in hand
A heroic female officer involved in tasering and arresting the man. She wasn’t the one who got hurt
Her parents offered to meet Daniel’s family – health and safety consultant Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, and science teacher mother Grace Anjorin, 49 – to help them through their traumatic time.
Sinead O’Malley, Grace’s mother, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘I don’t think anyone can say anything to ease their heart and pain, so we wouldn’t try to minimize that, but all we can do is our empathy. and I hope they will heal with time.”
Daniel was killed just before 7am on Tuesday when a stranger with a samurai-style sword allegedly attacked him in the street, meters from his front door.
Aiste Dabasinskaaite revealed how she tried to warn Daniel, but it was too late. She said: ‘My instinct was to shout and wave at him, which me and another neighbor did, but because he had his headphones on I don’t think he heard us.
“It was kind of a moment where we went from screaming to nothing, we just felt empty.”
Neighbor Sheryl Carter said: “I heard a scream coming from there [Daniel’s] mom. My neighbor saw her running away and then she had to be stopped by the police.’
A woman today leaves flowers in memory of Daniel at a police cordon near the crime scene in Hainaut
The tribute included a teddy bear and a sign that read “RIP Little Angel” with a love heart
She heard Mrs. Anjorin say, “I only spoke to him a minute ago.”
Friend Cyan Thompson added: “I can’t believe he’s gone. He was such a good person with great manners.
‘He was so caring. You couldn’t help but smile when he walked into the room.’
Close friends revealed that Daniel’s respected Nigerian parents believe they will be reunited as a family in heaven.
Janti Charalambous and Ade Caxton-Cole have known the football-loving Arsenal fan since he was little.
They explained: ‘He was a happy boy – he brought great joy to his family and his life has just been taken.’
The couple added: “The family are in shock and heartbroken. Such a young boy is taken from the family.
“Their faith sustains them and we all support them in one form or another.”
