A solicitor has appeared in court accused of contaminating food with blood in three west London supermarkets, it has been widely reported.

Leoaai Elghareeb, 37, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with contaminating or interfering with goods with intent. The charges relate to incidents at supermarkets on Fulham Palace Road on Wednesday 25 August.

According to a report by the Evening Standard, Elghareeb is a practising solicitor who runs his own legal consultancy business.

A Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco Express and Little Waitrose on Fulham Palace Road, Fulham, were all closed on Wednesday evening following an incident.

Elghareeb is now in custody and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 24 September.