Accountant Accused of Stabbing Officer Had £500,000 Cash, Court Hears

A chartered accountant indicated he would plead not guilty to wounding with intent to prevent or resist arrest, a court heard on Wednesday. Charles Charalambous, 56, is accused of stabbing a police officer in the leg during a raid at a property in Cockfosters, north London, early Tuesday.

The officer was taken to hospital and is expected to recover fully. The raid was part of a larger operation targeting the 'Hunt Syndicate,' a criminal network allegedly linked to gangster David Hunt, which involved simultaneous raids on 23 other properties.

During the execution of a warrant at Charalambous's address, police officers discovered a significant amount of cash, totaling approximately £500,000, according to prosecutor David Burns. The court was told that Charalambous, who works as an accountant, is believed to be part of a large criminal group.

Charalambous has no prior convictions. His defense, presented by Clea Topolski, stated that her client was home with his wife and three children when police arrived. Charalambous reportedly pressed a panic alarm and called 999, believing they were burglars. He then allegedly used a kitchen knife to stab an officer through a broken door panel, acting in what his defense described as self-defense, as the officers were wearing balaclavas and dark clothing and arrived in the "dead of night." He only realized he was under arrest after being Tasered and the officers identified themselves.

Charalambous was denied bail and is scheduled to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on October 28.