#leicester-square

#leicester-square

BBC A man has admitted stabbing an 11-year-old girl in a random knife attack in Leicester Square. The Australian child was on holiday with her 34-year-old mother when she was targeted by Ioan Pintaru in London's West End at about 11:30 BST on 12 August last year. Pintaru, who denied attempted murder, allegedly approached the girl as she left the Lego store, placed her in a headlock and stabbed her eight times.

Yes, we know October has only just begun, but sooner or later the mince pies will start appearing on the shelves and before you know it London will be in full festive mode. It's only 12 weeks until Christmas, after all. For those who love getting immersed in all the city has to offer at Christmas time, there's loads of markets to get you excited (and stocked with presents) for December 25. And no, we're not just talking about Winter Wonderland.

Footage posted online shows a group of apparent passers-by pinning the alleged attacker to the floor. In the video the man, who was wearing a black coat, trousers and a blue rucksack, holds up what appears to be a knife as he is held to the ground. He then orders everyone to "get away" before standing up. The suspected knifeman is then dragged to the floor again by a hero security guard, before other security arrive and he is detained.

The annual cluster of outdoor ice rinks that pop up like mushrooms around London in the winter will be joined by a new one - in the centre of Leicester Square. "Now is the winter of our disco tents - made glorious ice by this rink machine." As part of West End's annual fenced-off Christmas market, they're introducing an ice rink in the middle circle, where you will be able to twirl your way around the statue of William Shakespeare in the middle. That's a bit of an improvement on previous years when the statue was covered up by the Christmas sheds.