Marcus Arduini Monzo killed his cat before allegedly murdering a teen in a violent East London spree

An alleged sword attacker killed his pet cat before launching a 20-minute spree of violence that left a 14-year-old schoolboy dead, a court heard. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, stands accused of murdering Daniel Anjorin during a brutal rampage in Hainault, east London, on 30 April last year.

Jurors at the Old Bailey were told Monzo skinned and tried to cook his cat, Wizard, after believing it was being used against him by “negative forces”. The defendant, crying as he gave evidence, claimed he had no memory of the deadly attacks that followed.

Monzo said he had received “guidance and communication” in his head that told him the cat had drained his energy. “To replenish and get the energy back, I had to eat the cat,” he told jurors. He strangled the animal and attempted to cook it, but panicked, believing “Armageddon” was imminent. Unable to eat the cat, he placed it in his Ford Transit van along with swords, a ball-bearing gun, a kitchen knife, and spare clothes.

The court heard that Monzo was heading to his parents’ house when the violence began. He drove his van into pedestrian Donato Iwule, knocking him into a garden, before slashing his neck with a samurai sword. Mr Iwule managed to escape, but Monzo continued his rampage just a block away from his family home.

Daniel Anjorin was walking to school, wearing headphones, when Monzo allegedly attacked him with the 60cm blade, virtually decapitating the teenager. The frenzied violence continued as PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield gave chase. Prosecutors say Monzo struck her three times with the sword during the pursuit through alleyways.

Monzo then entered a nearby property, attacking a couple asleep in their bedroom while their young daughter was nearby. Inspector Moloy Campbell was also wounded before Monzo was eventually tasered and arrested.

The defendant claimed his memory became vague after leaving home and that he only regained clear recollection after being tasered. “My memory after I left my home… gradually it becomes very vague and abstract… not very clear,” he told the court.

Monzo admitted smoking cannabis regularly but denied taking it on the day of the attack. While he previously told an expert that cannabis was a “major contributor” to his state of mind, he later played down its influence, stating, “I don’t think it guided the killing.”

The jury heard about Monzo’s history of psychedelic use and spiritual obsession. Around 2017, he began following YouTube guru Sadhguru, which led to a year-long stay in India. He also travelled to Brazil for ayahuasca ceremonies and attended breatharian festivals in Europe that promote living without food. His increasingly bizarre behaviour included drinking his own urine, which he claimed was for “cleaning” purposes. “I would use it to shower, on the hair, even using it on the nose,” Monzo testified.

Following the attack, Monzo likened the events to The Hunger Games and described himself as having an alter ego of a “professional assassin”.

Monzo denies Daniel Anjorin’s murder, four attempted murders, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. He admits possessing two swords but disputes the rest of the charges.

The trial continues.