Thirty-two-year-old allegedly grabbed knife in halal butchers

A man accused of stabbing four policemen with a butcher’s knife has been ordered to stand trial in April next year.

Christopher Houghton, 32, allegedly attacked the officers after running into the Kingsbury Halal Butchers, in Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury, and grabbing an eight inch blade.

He also allegedly hurled rocks and tins of food as he resisted police.

Houghton, of Milford Gardens, Wembley, is charged with three counts of attempted murder, two of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, two of assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.

He spoke only to confirm his name when he appeared at the Old Bailey today via videolink from Belmarsh Prison.

Houghton was remanded in custody for a plea and case management hearing on February 27.

His trial was fixed for April 16 and is estimated to last for up to three weeks.

All four policemen were taken to hospital after the incident.

One, in his twenties with three years service, sustained a stab wound to the stomach, while another, in his twenties with six years service, sustained head injuries and a stab wound to the arm.

An officer in his thirties, who received a stab wound to the leg, and a fourth, who sustained a broken hand, were later discharged.