Daniel Sean James, 46, allegedly broke into the home of a young mother and fatally stabbed her as she slept in bed with her husband and three-month-old baby, the Old Bailey has heard.
Attack in the early morning
James allegedly attacked 24-year-old Kirandeep Kaur in her home in Hayes, west London, on the morning of July 12. He then allegedly jumped out of a window, breaking both ankles, before being detained by police nearby, the court was told.
Before the random attack, James allegedly walked through a playing field in Hayes dressed all in black and carrying a large knife. He was caught on CCTV and doorbell cameras approaching three different addresses before coming up behind a man in his 20s in the street and stabbing him in the back, it is claimed.
Husband awoke to screams
Minutes later, at around 7.51am, he allegedly kicked at the door of the home Mrs Kaur shared with her husband and three-month-old baby, and broke in while they were asleep in bed. The husband awoke to the sound of a scream from his wife and saw a figure leaving the bedroom, prosecutor Charlene Sumnall said.
Two minutes later, James exited the property on Uxbridge Road by jumping out of a window from the kitchen-living room area, the court heard. Having broken both ankles, he allegedly tried to flee but collapsed after 10 metres. From the first alleged sighting of the defendant to the arrival of police at the scene took around 24 minutes, the court was told.
Victim died from stab wound
Mrs Kaur suffered a stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 8.26am. The Old Bailey was told that both victims were complete strangers to the defendant, who was treated in hospital before being taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with the murder of Mrs Kaur, attempted murder and having a blade.
Court appearance
On Thursday, James, of Mercer Place, Pinner, west London, appeared in Court One of the Old Bailey by videolink from Wormwood Scrubs. 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.
