Two sisters killed in 'frenzied knife attack' were found lying 'entwined' on the ground in London park after birthday picnic, court hears, as 18-year-old faces double murder charge
- Danyal Hussein, 18, allegedly stabbed Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46
- It was 'unprovoked and random attack' in early hours of June 6, court heard
- The half-sisters' bodies were discovered in Fryent Country Park in Wembley
The bodies of two sisters killed in a 'frenzied' knife attack following a birthday picnic were found lying 'entwined' on the ground in a London park, a court heard today.
Danyal Hussein, 18, allegedly stabbed Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, multiple times in the early hours of Saturday June 6 in an 'unprovoked and random attack'.
The half-sisters' bodies were discovered in Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north-west London, by Ms Smallman's boyfriend the next day.
Ms Smallman and Ms Henry, who lived in Harrow and Brent respectively, were stabbed multiple times and were pronounced dead at the scene.
After Ms Henry's birthday picnic came to an end on June 5, the sisters were last heard from at 2.30am on June 6, the court heard.
Danyal Hussein, 18, (artist's impression from his video-link court appearance today) allegedly stabbed Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, multiple times in the early hours of Saturday June 6 in an 'unprovoked and random attack'
Bibaa Henry (left) and Nicole Smallman (right) were murdered in Wembley, North West London
Police said they were happily taking selfies, listening to music and dancing with fairy lights (pictured) until at least 1.13am on June 6, but calls to them at about 2.30am went unanswered
Forensics officers investigate at Fryent Park in Wembley, North West London, on June 9
Officers guard forensics tents at Fryent Park on June 8 while the investigation continues
'They dehumanised our children': Mother slams 'toxic' Met Police after officers 'took selfies' with bodies of her murdered daughters
Mina Smallman
The grieving mother of two women who were stabbed to death slammed the 'toxic' Metropolitan Police after two officers were accused of taking selfies next to the bodies of her daughters.
Mina Smallman said the accused officers 'dehumanised' her murdered daughters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry by taking the selfies in Wembley - which are believed to have been shared with members of the public.
Mrs Smallman told the BBC yesterday about the moment she learned her daughters were dead, saying: 'All I remember is letting out a howl that came from the core of my soul, that's the only way I can describe it.'
And speaking about the selfies, she added: 'The lead person said "I don't know how to tell you this but police officers were taking selfies and posing for pictures with your dead daughters".
'Those police officers dehumanised our children. If ever we needed an example of how toxic it has become, those police officers felt so safe, so untouchable, that they felt they could take photographs.'
Friends and family reported them missing and went out to find them before their bodies were found on June 7.
Joel Smith, prosecuting said: 'The defendant faces two charges of murder and one of possession an offensive weapon.'
Mr Smith added: 'The deceased were lying entwined on the ground.
'On 5 June this year Ms Henry had arranged a socially distant outdoor party and picnic to celebrate her birthday with a number of friends and members of her family, one of whom was her sister.
'On 7 June a group of concerned friends returned to the park to search for them.
'They went to the area where the picnic had been held and found some sunglasses.'
The bodies of the sisters were found along with a knife covered in blood, the court heard.
Mr Smith said: 'This was an unprovoked and random attack on two members of the public involving the use of a knife.'
Hussein, of Guy Barnett Grove, Blackheath, south-east London, was arrested at his home on July 1.
He was charged with two counts of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
On Monday, he appeared before Judge Mark Lucraft QC by video link from custody at Wandsworth prison in south London.
When asked to confirm his identity, he replied: 'Yes, Your Honour.'
Judge Lucraft set a plea and case management hearing for September 21, when a trial date will be considered.
The defendant, who wore a grey jumper, was remanded into custody.
None of the victims' family attended court for the brief hearing.
Police previously released pictures of senior social worker Ms Henry, from Brent in north-west London, and photographer Ms Smallman, from Harrow in north-west London, dancing with fairy lights before they were killed.
A police officer stands next to flowers at an entrance to Fryent Park in Wembley on June 8
An aerial showing police guarding the forensics tents at Fryent Park in Wembley on June 8
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