Daniel Sean James, 46, allegedly murdered 24-year-old Kirandeep Kaur after breaking into her home in Hayes, west London, on the morning of July 12. The Old Bailey heard that James, a stranger to the victims, entered the bedroom where Mrs Kaur was sleeping with her husband and three-month-old baby.
Attack and escape
Prosecutor Charlene Sumnall said the husband awoke to a scream from his wife and saw a figure leaving the bedroom. Two minutes later, James exited the property on Uxbridge Road by jumping out of a window from the kitchen-living room area, breaking both ankles. He allegedly tried to flee but collapsed after 10 metres and was detained by police.
Before the attack, James was seen on CCTV and doorbell cameras walking through a playing field in Hayes dressed in black and carrying a large knife. He approached three different addresses before stabbing a man in his 20s in the back on the street. Minutes later, at around 7.51am, he allegedly kicked in the door of Mrs Kaur's home.
Victim and charges
Mrs Kaur suffered a stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 8.26am. The court was told both victims were complete strangers to the defendant, who was treated in hospital before being taken into custody. James, of Mercer Place, Pinner, west London, was charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a blade.
On Thursday, James appeared by videolink from Wormwood Scrubs at the Old Bailey. Judge Nigel Lickley KC set a plea hearing for October 1 and a provisional three-week trial from April 5 next year. James spoke only to confirm his identity and was remanded into custody.
