Sword attacker guilty of murdering boy in rampage

A sword attacker who almost decapitated a 14-year-old schoolboy during a violent rampage that he compared to The Hunger Games has been found guilty of murder.

- HOLLY EVANS, JANE DALTON

Marcus Arudini Monzo, 37, also injured five other people during his 20-minute spree of violence in Hainault, east London, while high on cannabis on 30 April last year. He ambushed teenager Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword as he walked to school with headphones in, the Old Bailey heard.

The killer, who had a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home before being arrested. Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming “in delight” and smiling after mortally wounding Daniel.

The court heard it was “miraculous” that more people were not killed as Monzo slashed and chopped at whomever he came across.

Monzo, a Brazilian, mowed down a passer-by, Donato Iwule, with a van before killing Daniel, then went on to strike Metropolitan Police officer Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield three times with the sword as she chased him through alleyways.

Daniel Anjorin was attacked on his way to school (Metropolitan Police)

He then entered a property and attacked a couple as they lay in bed, while their young daughter was sleeping in the next bedroom. After once again escaping, he was struck Inspector Molody Campbell once with the sword before he was arrested. He had killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, before he ran amok.

Afterwards, he likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative personality of a “professional assassin”.

Monzo had admitted possessing two swords but denied murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.