The key facts

  • Ivan Stringer, 58, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, having earlier admitted wounding with intent, attempted robbery and possession of a knife
  • The victim, Saudi national Tamer Al-Kawari, has returned home and his life is not in danger
  • Sentencing will take place on 18 December; the judge said he is considering a life sentence

Guilty plea and possible sentence

British man Ivan Stringer, 58, has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Saudi visitor Tamer Al-Kawari, whom he stabbed on the evening of 3 September at Berkeley Square in London's Mayfair district. The National reported this. The hearing took place at Southwark Crown Court; Stringer had previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, attempted robbery and possession of a knife. Sentencing will take place on 18 December.

Circumstances of the attack

According to the Metropolitan Police, a call came in at 21:38 reporting an attack. Stringer, a resident of north-west London, was detained at the scene and taken to hospital with minor injuries. Al-Kawari, a man in his 40s, received treatment at the scene and was hospitalised with injuries that were not life-threatening; the court was told he has already returned home to Saudi Arabia. Police believed that the attacker targeted him because of a backpack containing expensive watches, even though the watches were not visible; nothing was stolen.

The defence's position and Riyadh's reaction

At a previous hearing, defence lawyer Nadia-Jade Semlali said Stringer had 'hit rock bottom in his life, was receiving benefits and could not find work', and that his savings had run out, after which he committed these crimes. Following the incident, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia called for the investigation to be expedited and for the perpetrator to be held accountable under the law, and also advised citizens to exercise caution and not carry valuables in public places.

The judge on sentencing and context

Judge Christopher Hehir noted that Stringer had admitted a 'serious' offence and stated: 'I am considering the possibility of imposing a life sentence. Whatever the term, it will be a long one.' The case is being heard against the backdrop of other attacks on Saudi citizens in the UK: in June, a builder was sentenced to life imprisonmentfor the murder of 20-year-old student Mohammed Algasim, who was stabbed to death in Cambridge in an unprovoked attack. Street crime, primarily phone and watch theft, has in recent years, according to The National's assessment, undermined London's reputation as a safe city; Mayor Sadiq Khan has disputed this image, publishing data showing that the homicide rate is lower than in many comparable international cities.