A man has entered a plea of not guilty in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old boy who suffered a sword attack in east London.

Marcus Arduini Monzo, aged 37, is alleged to have approached Daniel Anjorin from behind while he was en route to school, inflicting wounds to his chest and neck in Hainault on April 30 of the previous year.

In separate incidents occurring within just 20 minutes, four other individuals—including two police officers—sustained serious injuries.

During a plea hearing at the Old Bailey, Mr. Monzo acknowledged two charges related to the possession of offensive weapons—a katana sword and a tanto sword. A trial has been scheduled for June to address the remaining allegations against him.

Residing in Newham, Mr. Monzo faces a total of ten charges, eight of which he contests. These include the attempted murder of Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania, as well as police officer Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, along with wounding Insp Moloy Campbell with the intent to cause harm.

He has also denied charges of aggravated burglary and the possession of a bladed article in connection with a kitchen knife.