UK court keeps 19-year-old in custody after stabbing rampage

Associated Press
A woman leaves flowers as floral tributes are left in London's Russell Square following a stabbing spree that left one woman dead and five other people injured. (AFP)

LONDON: A 19-year-old Somali-Norwegian man accused of carrying out a stabbing rampage in London’s Russell Square was remanded into custody Saturday after a court appearance in the British capital.
Zakaria Bulhan of London is accused of slaying 64-year-old American Darlene Horton, a retired teacher. Bulhan also faces five counts of attempted murder in the attack on two Australians, an Israeli, an American and a British citizen. The victims were named in court Saturday for the first time.
Bulhan, who moved from Norway to Britain as a child, mumbled his name, address and date of birth during the hearing Saturday at Westminster Magistrates Court. When asked if he understood the charges, he gave a thumb’s up gesture. He will appear at the Central London Criminal Court on Aug. 9.
Horton was visiting London with her husband, Florida State University psychology professor Richard Wagner, who had been teaching summer classes in London. The couple had been due to fly home the day after the Wednesday attack.
Although London has been on edge because of deadly attacks on the European mainland claimed by Islamic State extremists, police say they’ve found no evidence of radicalization or links to terrorism in this case.