LONDON (BN24) — Marcus Arduini Monzo, who launched a brutal samurai sword attack that killed a 14-year-old boy on his way to school, has been sentenced to life in prison for murder and a series of other violent crimes that terrorized an east London neighborhood.
Monzo, 37, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Daniel Anjorin, along with three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. Mr Justice Bennathan ordered that Monzo serve a minimum of 40 years before he can be considered for release, meaning he will remain behind bars for at least 38 years and 309 days given time already served. He will be at least 75 if ever eligible for parole.
On April 30 last year, Monzo went on a 20-minute rampage in Hainault, nearly decapitating Daniel with a sword as the boy walked to school. The attack left five others injured, including police officers and a man struck by Monzo’s van and slashed in the neck.
“In Hainault, east London, just before 7 a.m., the weather was good and the streets were starting to fill with people on their way to work and even a few children heading to school,” Mr Justice Bennathan told the court Friday. “Over the 20 minutes that followed, that peaceful, busy scene was devastated as members of the public were attacked, police officers were gravely injured, a couple were terrified in their own home, and a clever, talented young boy was killed.”
Daniel was remembered by his family as a gifted student and talented athlete whose life was filled with promise. His father, Dr. Ebenezer Anjorin, speaking outside the court alongside Daniel’s mother, Grace Anjorin, called the ordeal “the worst nightmare experience of our lives.”
“This has been a painful and deeply traumatic chapter,” Dr. Anjorin said. “No verdict or sentence can bring back our son. But we are grateful that justice has been served.”
The family expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police and the prosecution team, adding that they would honor Daniel’s memory through the love and happiness he shared with them.
During the trial, prosecutors described Monzo as intent on “killing as many people as he could” while under the influence of cannabis, hours after he skinned and deboned his pet cat. CCTV footage played to the jury captured him ramming a pedestrian with his van and slashing others with the sword as terrified screams filled the street.
Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, admitted possessing offensive weapons but claimed he remembered nothing of the attacks. He denied Daniel’s murder and several other charges, but jurors convicted him after hearing harrowing accounts from victims and seeing graphic video evidence.
In court, Daniel’s father said: “We will not see him get married or have children. All these hopes and aspirations have been cruelly snatched away through the wicked actions of Marcus Monzo.”
