Man accused of attempted murder after New Year's Eve stabbing appears in court

A man accused of attempted murder after a stabbing in Manchester on New Year's Eve has appeared in court.

Mahdi Mohamud, 25, was arrested after a couple in their 50s were stabbed several times at Victoria railway station at around 9pm on December 31st.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with three counts of attempted murder and an offence alleging possession of a "document or record likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".

British Transport Police (BTP) Sergeant Lee Valentine was also stabbed in the shoulder as he responded to the incident.

He was wearing five layers of clothing which prevented a serious injury.

Prime Minister Theresa May later joined the BTP in commending emergency services after the incident at the station next to the Manchester Arena, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people on May 22nd 2017.

Mohamud, of Cheetham Hill, Manchester, appeared by video link and spoke to confirm his name, address, date of birth and Dutch nationality.

His solicitor, Nasir Hafezi, told the court no pleas would be indicated.

Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot remanded Mohamud in custody ahead of a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on June 21st.