Man is charged with trying to kill pregnant woman and her unborn child
Man is charged with trying to kill pregnant woman and her unborn child
A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder over the stabbing of a pregnant woman.
Babur Karamat Raja, from Sutton Coldfield, has been taken into custody after the woman was repeatedly knifed in the arm and stomach in the town centre as horrified shoppers wacthed on.
He will appear before Birmingham Magistrates court tomorrow where he will also face charges of assault and attempted child destruction.
The pregnant woman, 40, was left fighting for her life after the brutal attack on Friday but is now said to be in a stable condition.
Following the attack she was rushed to hosptial where she her child was born by an emergency Caesarean section, said to be doing well.
The victim's family have thanked the heroes who stepped in to save her.
They said: "We'd all like to express our heartfelt thanks to everybody who helped her on Friday afternoon.
"Your fearlessness and selfless actions saved both their lives and we are overwhelming grateful to you all.
"We have no further comment to make and we'd ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time."
One hero told how he risked his life to save the woman who was attacked in the car park of Trinity Hill Baptist Church, near the centre of Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.
Fearless 17-year-old Christian Blundell said: "I never thought I'd see that much blood, I've never felt so panicked in my life.
"I was so worried I couldn't tell if she was alive or dead, her hair was soaked red, I couldn't even tell what colour her natural hair was.”
Christian ran to the woman's aid after hearing her screams while out with friends.
He added: "The drama student added: "When we heard the screaming we thought it was two drunken men fighting, and I was so freaked out by the fact that she was pregnant and covered in so much blood so quickly.
"I cannot believe that this happened in broad daylight and in public, as soon as I got to the police station for them to take my statement and I asked them how the baby and mum were doing.
"I just wanted to know that the child was alright. I would be devastated if the baby had been hurt, I was concerned about the woman as she looked like she was ready to give birth any day.
"She was about to become a mum, I could not stand that, I would feel so guilty if the child had died and we'd got there too late – thank god we got there when we did.
"I would love to see both mum and baby and check that they are both okay if I got the chance."
The woman was bleeding heavily from the attack while brave witnesses flagged down a passing police car.
A man, 41, was detained at the scene as the woman was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where her daughter was born.
Police have confirmed the alleged attacker was known to the victim.
According to witnesses, the woman shouted "not the baby" before a man yelled "drop it, drop it".
An anonymous resident who lives nearby said: "I heard shouting at around that time, but I just assumed it was workmen at the church.
"My son normally walks home that way from school but when he got there he found it all taped off by the police.
"There was a lot of activity. I'd say there was a crowd of about 50 people standing around taking pictures and filming it on their phones.
"It's very disturbing to think that a pregnant woman has been stabbed a few yards away from my front door.
"It's awful, and in broad daylight too."
Man is charged with trying to kill pregnant woman and her unborn child
