Man Charged with Murder of Sleeping New Mother in Hayes Home Involving Husband and Baby, Court Hears

A knifeman allegedly broke into the home of a young mother, fatally stabbing her as she slept alongside her husband and their three-month-old baby, a court has been informed. Daniel Sean James, 46, is accused of attacking 24-year-old Kirandeep Kaur in her residence in Hayes, west London, during the early hours of July 12. Following the attack, it is reported that he jumped from a window, sustaining broken ankles, before being apprehended by police in the vicinity, as outlined at the Old Bailey.

Details of the Attack

Prior to the unprovoked assault, James was allegedly seen walking through a nearby playing field dressed entirely in black and carrying a large knife. CCTV footage and doorbell cameras captured him approaching three separate addresses before he reportedly attacked a man in his twenties, stabbing him in the back. This incident occurred shortly before he targeted Mrs Kaur’s home.

At approximately 7.51am, he allegedly began kicking the door of the property where Mrs Kaur was sleeping with her husband and infant child. The husband was awakened by his wife’s scream and witnessed a figure departing from the bedroom, according to prosecutor Charlene Sumnall. Just two minutes later, James is said to have exited the property by leaping from a window in the kitchen-living room area.

Aftermath and Arrest

Having sustained injuries from the jump, James attempted to flee but collapsed after covering a distance of about ten metres. The court was informed that there was a span of approximately 24 minutes from the first sighting of the defendant to the arrival of police at the scene. Tragically, Mrs Kaur suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 8.26am.

It was noted that both victims were complete strangers to James, who received medical treatment before being taken into custody. He has since been charged with the murder of Mrs Kaur, attempted murder, and possession of a knife.

Court Proceedings

On Thursday, James appeared via videolink from Wormwood Scrubs in Court One of the Old Bailey. Judge Nigel Lickley KC scheduled a plea hearing for October 1, with a provisional trial set for three weeks beginning April 5 of the following year. During the proceedings, James spoke only to confirm his identity and was subsequently remanded in custody.