A 24-year-old mother was allegedly stabbed to death while asleep beside her husband and three-month-old baby after a stranger forced his way into the family’s west London home, a court has heard.
Prosecutors allege Daniel Sean James, 46, carried out a random attack on Kirandeep Kaur at her home on Uxbridge Road in Hayes on the morning of 12 July, just minutes after allegedly stabbing another man in the street. The court heard the victims were complete strangers to the defendant.
The Old Bailey heard James, of Mercer Place, Pinner, was dressed in black and carrying a large knife as he walked through a nearby playing field before approaching several addresses.
Prosecutor Charlene Sumnall said he first allegedly stabbed a man in his 20s in the back on the street before making his way to the Kaur family home.
At around 7:50am, James is accused of kicking in the front door before entering the property while Kirandeep, her husband and their three-month-old baby were asleep together in bed.
The court heard Kirandeep’s husband awoke to the sound of his wife screaming and saw a figure leaving the bedroom.
Kirandeep suffered a single stab wound to the chest and, despite the efforts of emergency services, was pronounced dead at 8:26am.
Following the attack, James allegedly jumped from a window, breaking both ankles before being detained by police nearby. He was taken to hospital for treatment before being arrested.
Police confirmed a man in his 20s, believed to have been attacked shortly before the fatal stabbing, remains in hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
James has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
Appearing via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, he spoke only to confirm his identity. Judge Nigel Lickley KC remanded him into custody and set a plea hearing for 1 October at the Old Bailey.
