A terror suspect accused of attempted murder after a stabbing in Manchester on New Year’s Eve will stand trial in November.

Mahdi Mohamud, 25, was arrested after a couple in their fifties were stabbed several times at the city’s Victoria railway station at around 9pm on December 31.

Mohamud faces three counts of attempted murder and an offence of possession of a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The terrorism charge relates to a manual the defendant allegedly had in his possession entitled “the seven most lethal ways to strike with a knife”.

Anna Charlton and James Knox were knifed as they entered the Metrolink area of the station.

Mr Knox suffered 13 injuries including a skull fracture, the court heard.

Ms Charlton’s right lung was punctured and she suffered a slash to her forehead that cut down to the bone.

British Transport Police (BTP) Sergeant Lee Valentine was also stabbed in the shoulder as he responded to the incident.

He was wearing five layers of clothing which prevented a more serious injury.

Sgt Valentine and three other BTP officers were the first on the scene before pepper spray and Tasers were used to detain the suspect.

At a brief hearing before Mr Justice Sweeney on Monday at Oxford Crown Court, Mohamud was not asked to enter his pleas but a timetable was set out for his trial in the autumn.

The defendant, of Cheetham Hill, Manchester, appeared via video link and spoke only to confirm his name.

The court heard that Mohamud is a Dutch national but has also spent time in Somalia.

Justice Sweeney listed the case for trial on November 25 at Manchester Crown Court to be heard by a High Court judge.