Officer gives evidence at Hainault sword attack trial

A police officer has told jurors how the defendant in the Daniel Anjorin murder trial slashed at him with a “large sword”.

Insp Moloy Campbell told the Old Bailey that he saw blood when he looked down at his hand after being attacked in Hainault, north-east London, in April last year.

Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, denies murdering 14-year-old Daniel – who was on his way to school – and attempting to kill four others during a 20-minute series of attacks.

Insp Moloy said he was “disappointed” to be injured as this hampered his pursuit of Mr Monzo, adding: “It was frightening. I remember my priority to try to carry on.”

Warning: this story contains details some may find distressing

The Old Bailey has heard that before the attacks he allegedly carried out, Mr Monzo killed, skinned and deboned his pet cat Wizard.

Jurors were told that during the rampage Mr Monzo fatally struck Daniel on the head with a sword, and attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home.

Afterwards, he likened events to the Hollywood movie The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative personality of a “professional assassin”, the Old Bailey has been told.

Insp Campbell told told the court that before arriving at the scene, he heard on the radio that one of his colleagues had been stabbed.

A member of the public waved him down and pointed towards a car park and garage area.

Insp Campbell told jurors: “Our purpose was to arrest and protect the other officers. I decided to confront the defendant.”

He sprayed him first but the defendant “blocked” the move and “came for” the officer, jurors heard.

Insp Campbell went on: “I dropped my spray and drew my baton. I struck him or attempted to strike him. I believe I connected with him at least twice.

“Mr Monzo was slashing at me with a large sword. He made contact with my hand and certainly with my body-worn camera.”

Asked how he felt, the officer told jurors: “I was disappointed to put it bluntly because it meant I could not carry on what I was trying to do.”

Insp Campbell explained that he was forced to withdraw.

Previously, the court has heard how Mr Monzo launched a series of attacks by driving his grey Ford Transit van into Donato Iwule, who was “catapulted” into a nearby garden before the vehicle smashed into a concrete pillar and fence.

He went on to hit Mr Iwule in the neck with his sword before running away, it is alleged.

He then struck Daniel, who was wearing headphones, jurors have heard.

PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield pursued the defendant through a series of alleyways, the court has heard.

Mr Monzo struck her three times with the sword that had a 60cm blade using “extreme force”, the prosecutor said.

It is alleged the defendant entered a property and attacked a couple who were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom with their young daughter nearby.

Insp Campbell was attacked shortly before the defendant was arrested, the court has heard.

Mr Monzo denies Daniel’s murder and the attempted murders of Mr Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and PC Mechem-Whitfield, as well as wounding Insp Campbell with intent.

The defendant also denies aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife. He previously admitted two counts of having an offensive weapon, namely two swords.

The trial continues.