Man, 41, awaits sentencing for pregnant woman murder bid

A 41-year-old man will be sentenced today for attempting to murder a pregnant woman who was repeatedly stabbed in a "horrifying" street attack.

Babur Karamat Raja, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, admitted the offence last month during a video-link appearance at Birmingham Crown Court.

The company director also pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted child destruction, possession of a knife in public, and the wounding and assault of two passers-by.

Raja's victim, who cannot be identified because of a court order, was in court and broke down in tears as he entered his guilty pleas.

The previous hearing was told that the sentencing judge will be required to consider whether Raja's level of dangerousness should merit a life sentence.

In a statement issued after Raja's guilty pleas, the Crown Prosecution Service described the attack as completely unjustified and unprovoked.

Emily Lenham, senior crown prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said in a statement: "Babur Raja committed one of the worst acts of violence conceivable.

"But for the brave intervention of members of the public, who put their own lives at risk, the consequences of this incident could have been even more serious."