Market killer will be held in Broadmoor ahead of trial

A Somali knifeman accused of stabbing a pensioner to death and attempting to murder two others in a Remembrance Sunday rampage will be held in Broadmoor Hospital ahead of his trial.

Screaming shoppers fled in terror as Musse Ali, 67, allegedly hacked at members of the public shortly before the two-minute silence at East Street market in Walworth, southeast London.

Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, from Southwark, died at the scene while Ho Man Yau and Baheru Nadew Bartura were rushed to hospital.

Ali is charged with murder, two of attempted murder and one of possessing a bladed article, namely a kitchen knife.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today (mon) on a video-link from maximum security Broadmoor Hospital, aided by a Somali interpreter.

Prosecutor Danny Robinson, KC, earlier said: ‘These charges arise from events that took place in East Street market just after 10.30am in the morning when CCTV shows Mr Ali entering the market and going into a shop.

‘He jumped over the counter and tried to steal something. The shopkeeper pushed him away and outside the shop he saw Mr Ali had a knife.

‘CCTV then records Mr Ali stabbing the three victims with a large knife in quick succession.

‘He lunged at other members of the public with the knife before he was detained by store holders before police arrived and arrested him.

‘Sadly Mr McLeggan was pronounced dead at the scene having sustained a single stab wound to the back.

‘The other two victims are both still in hospital suffering from serious injuries.’

Judge Anuja Dhir, KC, remanded Ali in custody ahead of his trial on 5 May 2026.

A provisional trial date had been set for 22 September of this year, but that was vacated.

Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, lead for policing in Southwark, earlier said: ‘This was a horrific incident where a man had lost his life and two other people received serious injuries. The incident has understandably caused concern amongst the local community.

‘There will be an increased policing presence in the Walworth area as we work alongside our partners to provide reassurance to local people and small businesses operating in East Street. I would like to take this opportunity to thank brave members of the public who assisted police at the scene.

‘Lastly we are aware of posts circulating on social media, implying that this was a terrorist incident. Our enquiries indicate this is not the case and we ask the public not to speculate.’

Ali was remanded in custody ahead of a mention hearing on 6 February 2026.
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