Man guilty of murdering boy with sword in Hainault

A man has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword in Hainault last year.

Marcus Monzo, 37, has also been found guilty of three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

He gave no reaction in court as the verdicts were read out and the judge said he would face a life term when he returns to court for sentencing on Friday.

Daniel's father, who was in court to hear the verdict, did not react as Monzo was found guilty of murdering his son.

The series of attacks started at 06:45 BST on 30 April 2024, when Monzo drove a van into a 33-year-old pedestrian and then chased him, slashing him in the neck.

He then turned his attention to Daniel, who was walking down the residential street he lived on, wearing his school PE kit and headphones, unaware of Monzo's presence.

Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming "in delight" and smiling after fatally wounding Daniel with the 60cm (24in) sword.

Monzo, of Satanita Close, Canning Town, then entered a nearby home where a couple and their four-year-old daughter were asleep.

He demanded to know if they believed in God and slashed a man on the arm before leaving the property.

He was cleared of one count of attempted murder in relation to this attack, but was found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The series of attacks took just 20 minutes.

Monzo had gone into a cannabis-induced psychosis before the attack, and had killed and skinned his pet cat before heading to Hainault, north-east London, the court was told.

Afterwards, Monzo likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative persona of a "professional assassin".

Giving evidence at his trial, he said he had no memory of what happened and claimed his mental state had diminished his responsibility for the crimes.

However, the prosecution argued that psychosis brought on by self-induced intoxication was no defence for murder.

Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national, who was living in Newham, east London, had liked posts on X that praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Over a year, Monzo's X account also liked references to various antisemitic conspiracy theories and misogynistic Incel material.

At his Old Bailey trial, Monzo had told jurors he believed the world was flat and that the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York was "probably" a conspiracy theory.

In a reference to another conspiracy, Monzo posted: "I live in London. Here everybody will agree that the city is GREY. And the reason is BECAUSE they spray the sky ALL DAY, EVERY DAY."

Speaking outside the court, Ch Supt Stuart Bell from the Met Police said: "First in our thoughts is Daniel Anjorin - a talented, gentle, bright young man.

"A much-loved son and brother, brutally murdered simply walking to school at what should have been the start of a normal day at the start of a promising life.

"There are no words, really, to express how sorry we are for [the Anjorin family's] loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity.

"It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in the last year.

"I can only hope today's verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief, and you are now able to grieve in some peace.

"Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by this terrible incident."

Ch Supt Bell said Monzo had a clear intention to kill: "It didn't matter who they were and sadly, he targeted Daniel in a cowardly and brutal attack.

"A number of other local people were also attacked, seriously injured and threatened that day – and I would like to acknowledge their bravery and resilience in giving evidence in this case.

"As we heard in court, police officers and paramedics were on the scene within minutes of Monzo assaulting Daniel.

"I am in no doubt that the actions of those officers who arrived to pursue and attempt to detain Monzo saved lives and prevented more harm.

"I commend them for their extraordinary bravery – some setting out to deal with that call before their shift had even begun."

Kirsty O'Connor, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said their "hearts go out" to Daniel Anjorin's family and friends who have suffered "his unimaginable loss in horrific circumstances".

"Our thoughts remain with all of the victims who continue to recover from their injuries and trauma," she said.

She also paid tribute to the police officers and emergency workers who put their own personal safety at risk in the line of duty.

"The courage shown undoubtedly prevented further loss of life.

"We all owe them a debt of gratitude."

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