LONDON: A 24-year-old Indian man from Hyderabad has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder a student from Kerala working as a part-time waitress in a Hyderabadi biryani restaurant in East London.
Sriram Ambarla, of no fixed abode, an Indian national, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday. He choked and almost collapsed when he stood to enter his plea. He had to be given water and was allowed to sit down as he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the woman on March 25, 2022.He also pleaded guilty to having a knife without lawful reason in a public place, namely theHyderabad Wala restaurant in Newham, on the same date.
Ambarla’s barrister, Carolina Guiloff, requested eight weeks for a psychiatric report to be prepared, pointing out Ambarla had no criminal record. She said he was currently detained in prison but had spent some stints in hospital since his arrest.
Judge Anthony Leonard said sentencing would take place on January 26, 2024. “The fact you pleaded guilty will be taken into account in your favour. You will remain in custody until that date,” he said.
The woman, an Indian national from Kerala, had only arrived in Britain in February 2022, a month before the attack at the Hyderabad Wala restaurant in March 2022. She had come to London to do a master’s and worked as a part-time waitress.
After finishing his meal at around 2.20 pm, when she went to his table, Ambarla grabbed her, pulled her towards him, pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, continuing to do so as she fell to the floor. CCTV footage from the restaurant also showed him threatening staff who tried to intervene. Police were called and the woman was rushed to hospital.
Watch CCTV: Indian student stabbed in London restaurant
Sriram Ambarla, of no fixed abode, an Indian national, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday. He choked and almost collapsed when he stood to enter his plea. He had to be given water and was allowed to sit down as he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the woman on March 25, 2022.He also pleaded guilty to having a knife without lawful reason in a public place, namely theHyderabad Wala restaurant in Newham, on the same date.
Ambarla’s barrister, Carolina Guiloff, requested eight weeks for a psychiatric report to be prepared, pointing out Ambarla had no criminal record. She said he was currently detained in prison but had spent some stints in hospital since his arrest.
Judge Anthony Leonard said sentencing would take place on January 26, 2024. “The fact you pleaded guilty will be taken into account in your favour. You will remain in custody until that date,” he said.
The woman, an Indian national from Kerala, had only arrived in Britain in February 2022, a month before the attack at the Hyderabad Wala restaurant in March 2022. She had come to London to do a master’s and worked as a part-time waitress.
After finishing his meal at around 2.20 pm, when she went to his table, Ambarla grabbed her, pulled her towards him, pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, continuing to do so as she fell to the floor. CCTV footage from the restaurant also showed him threatening staff who tried to intervene. Police were called and the woman was rushed to hospital.
Watch CCTV: Indian student stabbed in London restaurant
