A 33-year-old man accused of assaulting three Jewish women in Stamford Hill, north London, allegedly attacked one of the victims while she was pushing her baby in a pram, a court has heard.
Abdisamad Siad, of no fixed abode, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning charged with three counts of assault by beating.
Magistrates heard the alleged offences took place on Clapton Common on Monday, when a first victim reported being “slapped across the face” by a man at around 1.30pm, prosecutor Shubhangi Mitra told the court.
The man then “moved as though he was going to punch her” before running away.
“The second complainant was pushing her baby daughter in a pram when, at approximately 1.36pm, the defendant punched her twice in the face without provocation before leaving the scene,” Ms Mitra said.
Shortly after, the defendant allegedly punched the third victim “three to four times” before running away.
All three victims were members of the Orthodox Jewish community, the court heard.
Siad entered not guilty pleas to the three charges.
A provisional trial date was fixed for December 11 at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.
Siad was also charged with a separate offence of grievous bodily harm with intent over an unrelated attack on another woman.
Magistrates told the defendant he would next appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on November 18 for a plea and trial preparation hearing in relation to this single charge.
Siad was remanded into custody at the end of the hearing.
The Metropolitan Police previously said officers were called at around 1.40pm on Monday after a suspect was detained by Shomrim after assaulting three women, who all suffered minor injuries.
Police patrols have been increased in the area in the wake of the assaults, and police have asked anyone with information to call 101 quoting the reference 3400/19OCT, or contact Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.
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