A man accused of trying to murder a “US spy” because he believed she worked at GCHQ has appeared in court for the first time.
Joshua Bowles, 29, allegedly repeatedly stabbed the woman outside a leisure centre in Cheltenham, just a few miles from GCHQ headquarters.
He was charged on Thursday night with attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE).
Appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Friday morning, Bowles - dressed in a prison-issue grey tracksuit - confirmed his name, age and address but did not enter any pleas.
“This was a serious incident of attempted murder”, said prosecutor Kathryn Selby.
The court heard the woman – who was not named and referred to only by the codenumber 99230 – was leaving the leisure centre with a friend when she was attacked.
Bowles is accused of stabbing the woman repeatedly in the incident at around 9.15pm on March 9, and also punching a man who went to speak to him afterwards.
The woman suffered wounds to her abdomen, liver, leg, and chest, and was rushed to hospital for treatment in intensive care.
It is alleged Bowles “attacked the victim because he believes that she is a worker for GCHQ” , the court was told.
According to the charges, it is said Bowles “attempted to murder 99230”, and he faces a second allegation of assaulting Alex Fuentes “occasioning him actual bodily harm”.
District Judge Nina Tempia remanded Bowles into custody until a hearing at the Old Bailey on March 31.
The court heard the case will be dealt with under the criminal justice terrorism protocol.
Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of CTPSE, said when charges were announced: “We would encourage people not to speculate on the specific circumstances surrounding this incident. We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no information to suggest any wider threat to the local community.
“We must now let the judicial process take place.”
Bowles, who lives in the village of Up Hatherley on the outskirts of Cheltenham, did not enter a plea to the charges today.
