Man stabbed woman at leisure centre because he thought she was GCHQ agent, court hears

A knifeman tried to murder a woman who he thought worked at GCHQ because she represented "the state", a court has heard.

Joshua Bowles, 29, has been charged with attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Bowles allegedly launched the attack on the woman as she left a leisure centre in Cheltenham, three miles from the UK intelligence agency's base.

He is said to have researched the woman before targeting her while armed with two knives as she left the building with a friend at 9.15pm last Thursday.

Bowles allegedly punched and stabbed the woman in the car park before continuing the attack inside the building as she tried to escape.

The alleged victim, referred to in charges only by the code number "99230" and not named in court, remains in hospital in a stable condition after suffering a number of stab wounds.

Bowles allegedly stabbed the woman because he thought she worked at GCHQ (Getty Images)

Kathryn Selby, prosecuting, said: "This was a serious incident of attempted murder. This was a planned attack and the defendant has researched the victim."

The bearded defendant appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and accompanied by two officers.

He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the six minute hearing.

The defendant was not asked to enter pleas.

Bowles is also charged with punching a member of the public, Alex Fuentes, who confronted him in the car park.

Bowles, of Welwyn Mews, Cheltenham, is charged with the attempted murder of 99230 on March 9 and a separate charge of assaulting Mr Fuentes, causing him actual bodily harm.

Ms Selby said the case should be dealt with under terrorism laws.

She said: "The defendant has selected the victim because he believed she worked for GCHQ and he holds views on the work he believes they conduct there. He attacked her because in his mind she represents the state."

District Judge Nina Tempia remanded Bowles in custody before his next appearance at the Old Bailey later this month.

Det Chief Supt Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, said: "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."