Pregnant woman stabbed by boyfriend was ‘saved by her breast implants'

Babur Raja attempted to kill his pregnant girlfriend after being 'driven to distraction' by his conservative mother, who disapproved of their relationship

Raja's girlfriend said the attack was 'completely unprovoked and totally unexpected' (West Midlands Police)

A 41-year-old man who tried to kill his pregnant girlfriend in the middle of Sutton Coldfield town centre has been jailed for 18 years at Birmingham Crown Court.

Babur Raja grabbed Ms Queiroz, who had been on the way to meet him at the bank, from behind and stabbed her repeatedly in the chest and stomach, cut her wrists and attempted to slit her throat.

Ms Queiroz was 36 weeks − 9 months − pregnant with his child.

Prosecuting barrister Benjamin Aina QC said that if Raja had plunged his knife just 2mm deeper into the victim’s stomach, her baby would not have survived.

The court heard that Ms Queiroz’s breast implants “were probably what saved her life”.

At a previous hearing in May, Raja pleaded guilty to attempted murder. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on bystanders who tried to intervene, attempted child destruction and possession of a knife in a public place.

Raja’s barrister said the attack was the result of family problems and that his conservative mother had “literally driven him mad”.

Jane Humphryes QC said the stress of choosing between his family and his partner had led to a temporary mental illness, or “adjustment disorder”.

She added: "His mother had not been happy he was in a relationship with a white woman, and told him he must leave her or she would not be in contact.

"This man of impeccable character is driven literally to distraction, forced by his own mother to choose between her and his chosen partner and their unborn baby."

Sentencing Raja to 18 years in prison, Judge Simon Drew QC said: “Once you chose your mother over your partner and child, you resolved not only to terminate your relationship, but to terminate them.

“This was a deliberate and pre-meditated attack designed to kill and destroy your partner and unborn child.”

In Thursday's hearing, the judge was shown images of Raja walking in Trinity Hill in the town centre wearing a hoody in order to partially conceal his face. He had also stuffed a backpack under his shirt in order to appear a different build.

Prosecutors said Raja had purchased a large carving knife several days before the incident, and said this showed the attack to be planned.

Two witnesses initially tried to stop the attack, trying to take the knife out of Raja’s hands and stop the attack. A third later joined the effort, and said he kicked Raja more than 20 times in the head to get him to stop.

Raja was captured walking towards the Sutton Coldfield town centre to commit the crime. He stuffed a backpack under his shirt in an attempt to make himself look different (West Midlands Police)

Ms Queiroz underwent emergency surgery to save her life, and both her and her baby, now born, have recovered well.

In a statement, she called the attack “completely unprovoked” and said there was no warning.

“As far as myself, our families and all our friends are concerned, Bobby and I had an exceptionally happy and loving relationship, living together and looking forward to the birth of our daughter – his first child – a child he very much wanted right from the start of the relationship.

“The attack he committed on me was completely unprovoked and totally unexpected.”

She thanked the police, air ambulance services, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham Women’s Hospital for her and her daughter’s survival.