A deranged knifeman who ran amok in a crowded stre

A deranged knifeman who ran amok in a crowded street stabbing five people including a pregnant woman was branded a ‘grave danger to the public’ by an Old Bailey today.

(fri)

After the 10-minute explosion of violence Colin Belcher, 20, wandered into a psychiatric unit at Edgware Community Hospital and demanded help.

It was said that Belcher, who did not have a history of mental illness, was distraught because his girlfriend had undergone an abortion not long before.

Belcher, of Golders Green Road, Golders Green, has pleaded guilty to one count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and four charges of unlawful wounding.

But Judge David Stokes, QC, was forced to adjourn sentencing for at least three weeks while the question of a disposal under the Mental Health Act, namely an indefinite hospital order, is addressed further by doctors.

During the frenzy Belcher knifed pregnant mum Gitte Baliti in the back as she wheeled a pushchair down the street.

Fortunately there were no complications and Miss Baliti subsequently gave birth to her child.

Judge Stokes apologised to victims of the stabbing spree who arrived at court today to see Belcher sentenced but he said it was in ‘everyone’s interest’ that the case is adjourned.

‘Bearing in mind the grave danger he poses to the public there is a question mark over this man’s mental health.

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Belcher had spent most of November 10 last year drinking in the Edge of Town pub in Station Road, Edgeware.

After leaving the pub Belcher followed his first victim, 20-year-old Fatime Mauriqi, who had just got off a bus.

He followed her into Purcells Avenue, went up behind her and grabbed her.

Belcher then dragged the screaming woman to the ground and stabbed her five times in the back.

Miss Mauriqi was later taken to Northwick Park Hospital where doctors were forced to remove a kidney during emergency surgery.

Belcher then ran down Edgwarebury Lane as his rampage of violence continued to spiral.

He knifed butchers Rabah ‘Bruno’ Zougari and Paul Gilbey as they pulled shutters down outside their shop.

Belcher then made his way to Bakery Path, where he held the weapon to the throat of 14-year-old Aris Abyar.

But moments later he attacked Miss Baliti who was walking with a pushchair down Brook Avenue at the time.

Belcher plunged the knife into her back but fortunately the unborn child was not harmed.

He turned up at Edgware Hospital in an agitated state just 50 minutes later where he said at one stage: ‘This hospital killed my baby.

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