A father said to have shielded his wife and four-year-old daughter from a sword-wielding killer has been pictured for the first time.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, is fighting for his life in hospital having suffered injuries when a knifeman broke into his family home, his sister Jessica De Los Rios, 31, said.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared in court yesterday accused of being behind a 22-minute rampage that left schoolboy Daniel Anjorin dead and four others seriously wounded – including a policewoman who nearly lost a hand.
But IT engineer Mr De Los Rios, from Hainault in North-East London, was able to protect his daughter and partner from the attacker, his sister said.
‘To us, he’s our hero. He protected them, my niece and my sister-in-law. They were just literally sleeping, opened their eyes to see a man with a big machete sword,’ Jessica said.
‘He felt helpless in the moment, but to us he is our hero. It could have been extremely worse.’
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, (pictuted) is fighting for his life in hospital having suffered injuries when a knifeman broke into his family home, his sister said
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish and Brazilian national, appeared in court today charged with murder
Floral tributes at the scene of the sword attack in Laing close in Hainault
Daniel Anjorin, the 14-year-old boy killed by a man who went on a rampage wielding a sword
Daniel, described by his family as a wonderful child who was ‘well loved’ and ‘hard working’, later died in hospital
A photo of a man prowling the streets of Hainault on Tuesday
Ms De Los Rios said her brother sustained a deep wound to his hand and the family were so psychologically damaged that they were unlikely to want to return to the house.
Flanked by three burly male dock officers and one female, Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national, wore a prison-issue grey tracksuit and held his left hand over his chest for the entire seven-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
When asked to confirm his name, he responded very slowly: ‘My full name? As of my recollection it is Marcus Aurielo Audini.’
David Burns, prosecuting, said Monzo allegedly drove a van at speed at Donato Iwule, who was walking on the street, before leaving the vehicle and slashing him around the neck, leaving an injury that required hospital treatment.
Monzo, who describes himself online as a ‘mystic and a musician’, then forced entry into the De Los Rios home as the family and their four-year-old child slept, slashing Mr De Los Rios Polania in the neck, the prosecutor said.
Mr Burns said Monzo was shouting: ‘If you do not believe in God he will cause you harm.’
The prosecutor added: ‘He has then left the scene and attacked 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who was on his way to school.’
Senior District Judge and Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said: ‘I am going to send your case, all seven charges, to the Central Criminal Court, you might know it as the Old Bailey.
‘I don’t have the power to consider bail. You will therefore be remanded in custody to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 7 May.’
Daniel, described by his family as a wonderful child who was ‘well loved’ and ‘hard working’, later died in hospital.
‘No family should have to go through what we are experiencing,’ relatives said in a statement. ‘Any family will understand it’s an absolute tragedy.’ The court heard that while officers were tending to Daniel’s injuries, Monzo appeared from a bush and attacked a female officer, Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, while she was on the ground. A second officer named Moloy Campbell was also injured, the court heard.
Social media photos show Monzo smiling and doing a thumbs-up with a collection of medals round his neck after winning a sports contest.
He is listed online as the director of a landscape gardening company which dissolved on Tuesday – the same day as the alleged sword attack.
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo at an archery game weeks before the attack
Monzo at Westminster Magistrates Court flanked by custody officers
Daniel Anjorin was leaving his home just before 7am when he was caught up in the horrifying ordeal
The tributes included a teddy bear and a sign reading ‘RIP Little Angel’ with a love heart
Tributes were paid to Daniel, the son of health and safety consultant Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, and science teacher mother Grace Anjorin, 49, by his school, Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green, which has flown its flag at half mast.
The £24,999-a-year institute, which was also attended by Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar, posted on its website: ‘We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel. ‘This has left us in profound shock and sorrow.
‘He joined Bancroft’s at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.
‘His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us. Losing such a young pupil is something we will always struggle to come to terms with.’
Neighbour Aiste Dabasinskaaite said she tried to warn the schoolboy of the impending danger but he had his headphones on so he did not hear.
‘My instinct was to shout and wave at him, which is what me and another neighbour did, but because he had his headphones on, I don’t think he heard us,’ she said.
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