Man ‘armed with two knives who attempted to stab woman he believed worked for GCHQ to death’ is facing trial
A MAN is facing trial accused of trying to stab a woman to death in a leisure centre car park because he believed she worked at GCHQ.
The victim was sitting in her car in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on March 9 when the horror unfolded.
She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and remains in a stable condition.
Joshua Bowles was charged by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE).
The 29-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh today.
His is charged with attempted murder of the woman and assaulting a man, causing him actual bodily harm.
No plea was entered but a provisional trial date was set for October 3 at Birmingham Crown Court.
Bowles was remanded in custody to next appear in court on July 28.
Police were scrambled to Tommy Taylor’s Lane, which is just a few miles from GCHQ’s headquarters, at around 9.15pm.
Officers believe Bowles travelled to the leisure centre with two knives and waited outside for the woman, who is referred to in charges by the code number “99230”.
It is alleged he targeted her because “he believed she worked for GCHQ and holds views on the work they conduct” and because in his mind she “represents the state”.
Bowles is also alleged to have punched a man, Alex Fuentes, after being confronted in the car park of the leisure centre.
GCHQ is the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency.