Edgware stabbing: Man in court charged with murder near bus stop

A man has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of fatally stabbing a woman in the chest and neck as she waited at a bus stop in north-west London.

Anita Mukhey, 66, sustained multiple knife wounds after being slapped, punched and shaken in Edgeware on 9 May, the court heard.

Jalal Debella, 22, was arrested later the same day in nearby Colindale.

It is alleged Mr Debella approached Mrs Mukhey and had a brief exchange with her before he slapped and punched her.

The incident began just before noon at the Burnt Oak Broadway stop, and was witnessed by members of the public.

It is claimed that Mrs Mukhey, a medical secretary, tried to get away and the suspect was seen to grab her and hold her "like a rag doll", shaking her about.

The attacker then allegedly produced a knife and stabbed her a number of times as members of the public shouted at him to stop.

Mrs Mukhey collapsed into the road and emergency services were called. She died at the scene about half an hour after the initial attack.

A preliminary cause of death was found to be sharp force injuries to the front of the chest and neck, prosecutor Philip McGhee said.

Mr Debella is charged with murder and having an offensive weapon in public.

Judge Angela Rafferty KC set a plea hearing for 6 August.

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