LONDON (AP) — A British man has admitted battering three sisters from the United Arab Emirates with a hammer during an attack at an upscale London hotel, but denies trying to kill them.

Philip Spence has admitted three counts of grievous bodily harm. The plea was entered last week but could not be reported until Monday because of a judge’s order.

He is due to go on trial this week for attempted murder, which he denies.

One woman was left in critical condition and all three suffered head and facial injuries.

The April attack, and a later attack on an Emirati family in London, were front-page news in the Gulf nation, where violent crime is rare.

British police said there was no indication the victims were targeted because of their nationality.

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