UK
Girl, 11, stabbed in Leicester Square granted wish to see Taylor Swift perform
An 11-year-old girl who was stabbed in London’s Leicester Square has had her dream of seeing Taylor Swift perform come true.
The girl suffered serious injuries when she was attacked in front of her 34-year-old mother at the popular West End tourist spot on the morning of 12 August.
A court was previously told that a man had approached the girl, placed her in a headlock and stabbed her eight times.
She was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist and neck area.
The mother-daughter pair had been travelling around Europe to watch the Matildas – Australia’s national women’s football team – at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and had hoped to see Swift at one of her Wembley Stadium shows.
Ioan Pintaru has been charged with the attempted murder
After her ordeal, and with a bit of help from Australian consular officials, the girl’s dream came true as she was able to see Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour after a week of recovery.
Thanking all those who helped her recovery – including hospital workers – the young victim said: “It was bad to meet them under those circumstances but they are some people I will remember forever.”
The girl’s mother added that her daughter has been “incredible” and is ready to “get back to normal”.
“She’s the most optimistic kid you could meet, she’s super bouncy,” she said.
Last week, a security guard who helped disarm the suspect was recognised for his bravery at the Pakistan High Commission in London.
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Ioan Pintaru, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with the attempted murder of the girl and possession of a bladed article.
The Romanian citizen is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 10 September.
Police have said there is no suggestion the incident was terror-related and officers do not believe the suspect and the victim were known to each other.