Man in court accused of attempting to murder five in car crash

A driver has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of attempting to murder five people after ploughing through a pedestrian crossing outside a supermarket. 

Ahmed Timir, 34, was charged with attempted murder following the incident on June 27 that left victims with injuries including broken facial bones and a broken pelvis.

Police raced to Ealing Broadway in west London, at 2.29pm after a car was reported to have collided with multiple pedestrians outside a Marks and Spencer.

The Somalia-born defendant had allegedly driven a Seat Leon through a red light and onto the crossing while a large number of pedestrians were on it.

The defendant then allegedly crashed into stationary traffic at a junction as he made off.

Police cordoned off the area by the supermarket and footage on social media showed people kicking a white car and trying to open the pᴀssenger door as it raced away. 

Two casualties were treated at the scene and three more were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Timir, of Grange Park, Ealing, was located and arrested later the same day and charged with five counts of attempted murder.

A court artist’s sketch of Ahmed Timir appearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court previously

Police forensic officers gathering evidence at the scene in Ealing Broadway, West London

Ahmed Timir appeared at the Old Bailey and is accused of five counts of attempted murder

He was also charged with dangerous driving, two counts of failing to stop, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, and three counts of criminal damage.

On Monday, he appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Belmarsh prison in south London and spoke to confirm his idenтιтy while wearing a grey tracksuit.

Judge Lynn Tayton KC set a two-week provisional trial at the Old Bailey from March 30.

She told Timir: ‘For the moment you will remain in custody,’ she said.

The defendant was not asked to enter any pleas and was remanded to next appear in court for a case management hearing on October 19.

Counter Terrorism Policing London conducted initial inquiries, but it is not being treated as terrorism.