Stab tragedy baby named
A NEWBORN baby who died after being stabbed at a flat in Wallsend can now be named.
Three-week-old Andrei Stefan passed away in hospital four days after the attack, which happened at his home on Portland Close. North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Andrei had been christened in hospital before his death.
His mum Andreea Stefan, 21, was also seriously injured in the incident last Wednesday, but is recovering.
The baby’s identity had been protected by a court order as he fought for life in hospital.
However, magistrates yesterday lifted the reporting restrictions, following his death.
Lifting the order, District Judge Bernard Begley said: “This is a very sad case. We are taking about a child who is deceased.”
The judge sided with a request made by the press after representatives argued the Section 45 order had made it difficult to keep the public informed of what was happening in the case.
Denis Beytula, of Portland Close, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
The 27-year-old appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court last Thursday. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on October 31.
Det Chief Insp Dave Cole, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a devastating time for the baby’s family. Specialist officers continue to offer them support and I know the community in Wallsend are by their side too.
“It is impossible to imagine what they are going through and I would ask the public to continue to respect the family’s privacy at this time.
“A man has been charged in relation to the incident and we will continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as the case moves forward.”