A former British intelligence worker has admitted attempting to murder an American security official in a knife attack outside a leisure centre.
Joshua Bowles pleaded guilty at London's Old Bailey on Wednesday to punching and stabbing the woman on March 9.
The attack happened about 5km from the UK's GCHQ intelligence agency base in Cheltenham, where Bowles worked until 2022. The victim works for the US National Security Agency (NSA) and was based at GCHQ.
The 29-year-old had been charged with attempted murder, as well as assaulting a man, causing him actual bodily harm, following an investigation by counter-terrorism police.
He attacked the victim because, in his mind, she represents the state.
Bowles targeted his victim, referred to in charges only by the code number 99230, because he believed she represented the state.
The court heard Bowles researched the victim and other US citizens who worked at the site, but was no longer employed there at the time of the attack.
Armed with two knives, he attacked the woman as she left the leisure centre with a friend.
The victim had been playing netball at the leisure centre and Bowles attempted to stab her in the car park. The victim and her friend managed to escape and ran back into the leisure centre.
Bowles followed them and he attacked the victim again inside with one of the knives, before she fled to a netball court.
The victim was taken to hospital after suffering several stab wounds.
Bowles also punched a man after being confronted in the car park.
During Bowles’s first appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Kathryn Selby said the case, which she said involved a “planned attack”, should be dealt with under the terrorism protocol.
“The defendant has selected the victim because he believed she is a worker for GCHQ and holds views on the work he believes they conduct," she told the court.
“He attacked the victim because, in his mind, she represents the state.”
After the hearing on Wednesday, Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the attack was "completely unprovoked".
“This extremely violent attack against two innocent people was completely unprovoked," he said.
“It is right that those who commit violent crimes like this should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law to protect the public, and our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, said: “Through our extensive and thorough investigation, it is clear that Bowles had selected his victim because of where she worked.
“I am pleased that Bowles has taken the decision to plead guilty to these crimes due to the strength of our investigation and evidence against him. This will thankfully spare the victims from having to go through the traumatic process of reliving the events of that day through the trial process.”
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Bowles she hoped for sentencing before the end of October.
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The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
