More time for cops in mum-to-be stab probe
POLICE were last night granted more time to question a man over the stabbing of a pregnant woman in the street.
The 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Friday afternoon.
And detectives were last night given permission to hold him for an extra 12 hours to continue their inquiries.
Detective Inspector Ian Ingram ofWest Midlands Police said: “We have launched a major investigation and are working hard to understand the circumstances that led up to the assault.”
The development came on the same day a teenager told how he risked his life to stop the woman being attacked in BEAMING Jerry Hall celebrated her marriage to 84-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch in a private service at a Fleet Street church.
The happy couple emerged from St Bride’s yesterday looking jubilant following a service in front of many famous faces from the worlds of entertainment and media.
The hour-long service was held a day after the pair officially tied the knot at Spencer House in London.
The former supermodel, 59, looked radiant in an ice blue kneelength Vivienne Westwood dress with long, sheer sleeves and silver flat shoes.
Among the prestigious guest list was Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Michael Caine, Rebekah Brooks, Barry Humphries and Sir Bob Geldof. the centre of Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.
Several members of the public tried to help the woman during the assault while others flagged down police.
The 40- year- old victim was rushed to hospital by air ambulance and her unborn child was later safely delivered by C-section.
The baby girl was last night said to be doing well although her mother remained in a critical but stable condition.
On Friday officers described the attack as a “domesticrelated situation”.
They also praised the bravery of those who tried to intervene.
Chief In s p e c t o r Ju l i a n
Murdoch – whose News UK company publishes The Sun newspaper and whose company 21st Century Fox owns a major stake in Sky TV – gave reporters a thumbs up before entering the journalists’ church, flanked by his sons James and Lachlan.
When asked how the service went, the new Mrs Murdoch said: “Absolutely wonderful, absolutely wonderful.” Harper said: “What is clear at this early stage is that two members of the public bravely stepped into what was a dangerous and volatile situation, with complete disregard for their own safety.
“I commend them for their actions.
“Fortunately, they suffered only minor injuries.”
He added that the probe could become a murder investigation if the mother did not pull through.
But he added: “Obviously our wishes are with her and we hope that she will recover.”
A 17-year-old drama student y e s t e r d ay to l d h ow he intervened to help the heavily pregnant woman.
Christian Blundell said he kept the victim warm with a coat and used napkins to tend to her wounds as she lay breathing but unresponsive.
He said: “I never thought I’d see that much blood. I’ve never felt so panicked in my life.
“I was so worried I couldn’t tell if she was alive or dead.
“Her hair was soaked red – I couldn’t even tell what colour her natural hair was.
“The image of her on the floor is something that I will never be able to not see.
“I did everything I could to keep the woman stable while she lay on the floor.”
The teenager denied he was a hero, adding: “I did think about the danger I was in, but I’m not somebody who would let an incident pass me by.
“I had to do something – I hate violence.”