Man in court after three Jewish women assaulted

A 33-year-old man accused of assaulting three Jewish women in north-east 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 charged with three counts of assault by beating.

Magistrates heard the alleged offences took place on Clapton Common, Hackney, on Monday when the first victim reported being "slapped across the face" by a man at about 13:30 BST.

Siad entered not guilty pleas to the three charges and was remanded into custody.

The court was told the second complainant was pushing her baby daughter in a pram when, at about 13:36, she was allegedly punched twice in the face by the defendant.

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.

A provisional trial date was set for 11 December 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.

The Met Police said it had increased its patrols in the local area since the incident on Monday.

CCTV posted online by Shomrim appeared to show a man running up to a woman before pausing briefly and then punching her twice.

The group said on X that it had already been called because another "visibly Jewish" woman had reported being punched in the face on Clapton Common on Monday.

The Met Police said it was also working with Jewish community leaders to provide "further reassurance" to those living nearby.

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