Baby delivered after mother killed in attack
Boy safely delivered after eight-months pregnant woman shot dead in front of her five children
A baby boy was recovering in hospital last night after being delivered by medics shortly after his pregnant mother was killed in a crossbow attack in her kitchen. Sana Muhammad, 35, who was eight months pregnant, was allegedly attacked by her ex-husband in front of her children at her home in east London. The incident occurred at breakfast time on Monday morning in Newbury Park, Ilford, when her attacker, who had been hiding in her garden shed, burst into her kitchen.
A BABY boy was recovering in hospital last night after being delivered by medics shortly after his pregnant mother was killed in a crossbow attack in her kitchen.
Sana Muhammad, 35, was eightmonths pregnant when she was allegedly attacked by her ex-husband in front of her children at her home in east London.
The incident occurred at breakfast time on Monday morning in Newbury Park, Ilford, when her attacker, who had been hiding in her garden shed, burst into her kitchen and opened fire with the crossbow.
Imtiaz Muhammad, Mrs Muhammad’s husband, described how he came across the suspected killer when he went to the shed around 7.30am on Monday to store a cardboard box.
Seeing the weapon he fled into the house shouting “run, run, run”, before the alleged attacker fired the crossbow bolt which hit Mrs Muhammad in the stomach.
The heavily pregnant mother of five was rushed to hospital in east London, where she was later pronounced dead. However, surgeons managed to perform an emergency caesarean section and delivered the baby boy safely.
The baby, who has been named Ibrahim, was being cared for in hospital last night where doctors said he was in a stable condition.
Yesterday, Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, Mrs Muhammad’s ex-husband, appeared in court charged with her murder.
It is understood Mrs Muhammad, who was born in Mauritius, split from her first husband, with whom she had three children, around six years ago.
She subsequently converted from Hinduism to Islam when she married Mr Muhammad and the couple went on to have two daughters. Her son had been due in four weeks.
Mr Muhammad, 42, who was being cared for by relatives, described her as a “wonderful mother and wife”.
He said all five children had been present at the time of the incident. Neighbours said Mrs Muhammad was a devoted mother whose life revolved her children.
One friend said: “Sana and Imtiaz were very happy. They loved having the kids around them. We all used to spend time together and share food. It is such a tragedy what has happened to her.”
One neighbour who witnessed the aftermath of the attack said: “The husband Imtiaz came out the house screaming for help – he was banging on doors. The kids were all there and they were crying for help. Imtiaz had gone to put a cardboard TV box in his garage and he found the ex-husband standing there.”
Another neighbour added: “She was kind and caring and was a wonderful mother. She was a very good, lovely lady. She was a close friend of mine, and we would share our problems with each other and could talk for hours.
“She did everything for her children, they were her world.”
A Met Police spokesman said: “A man has been charged with the murder of a woman in Ilford. This follows an incident at an address in Applegarth Drive, Ilford, at approximately 7.40am on Monday November 12.
“The victim was found suffering an abdominal injury. She was taken to hospital where she later died. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.
“No other persons are sought in connection with this investigation. The arrested man and woman were known to each other.”
‘Imtiaz came out the house screaming for help – he was banging on doors. The kids were all there and they were crying for help’