Pregnant woman 'saved by breast implants' as partner tried to stab her to death
A man who tried to stab his pregnant partner to death claims he was 'overwhelmed' as his mother disapproved of his relationship with a non-Muslim woman.
Babur Karamat Raja has been jailed for 18 years after he stabbed his partner Natalie Querioz while she was 36 weeks pregnant.
Raja stabbed Ms Querioz in the chest and stomach with a 12-inch kitchen blade, before he attempted to slash her throat and wrists.
A UK court heard the couple's unborn baby girl was 2mm away from being struck by the carving knife.
Sky News reported police said Ms Querioz only survived due to the type of bra she was wearing and her breast implants, which were ruptured during the attack.
Raja admitted to attempted child destruction, possession of a knife in public, and two counts of attempted murder, West Midlands police said.
The 41-year-old told the court he was stressed because his mother was angry about his relationship with a non-Muslim woman.
Judge Simon Drew QC described the attack as a "horrific, premeditated, persistent knife attack" and said the offences were "carefully planned" for at least two days.
"Once you chose your mother over your partner and child, you resolved not only to terminate your relationship but terminate them," Judge Drew said.
Prosecuting barrister Benjamin Aina QC said that Ms Queiroz's life was only saved by the type of bra she was wearing and her breast implants, which were ruptured during the attack, Sky News reports.
CCTV captured Raja wearing a black hoodie and jeans while carrying a knife behind his back and stashing a backpack inside his jumper in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands moments before the attack.
At 3.15pm on March 4, Raja began his "frenzied" attack at the Trinity Hill Baptist Church, before several passers-by, aged between 16 and 70, tried to intervene.
One passerby said he kicked Raja more than 20 times in the head and body in a desperate bid to stop the stabbing.
Another person flagged down a passing police patrol car and five others wrestled Raja to the ground, which allowed Ms Queiroz to escape.
However Raja reportedly managed to break free and caught up with his ex-partner, where it was claimed he stabbed her again and tried to cut her throat.
Two onlookers were reportedly stabbed by Raja and later treated for minor injuries.
Ms Querioz was flown to a hospital by air ambulance in a critical condition.
She underwent an emergency caesarean section and her baby was delivered safely later that evening.
The baby girl suffered swelling to the brain and is said to have possible long-term brain damage, Sky News reported.
A statement on behalf of Ms Queiroz was read out outside the court by police liaison officer DC Ruth Boddy.
"We'd all like to express our heartfelt thanks to everybody who helped her. Your fearlessness and selfless actions saved both their lives and we are overwhelmingly grateful to you all," the victim's family said.
News break – June 23