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Man due in court for murder of pregnant woman

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-09 17:22

LONDON - A 53-year-old man was due in court on Tuesday charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of a young woman who was seven months pregnant.

Alan McMullan was arrested on Sunday shortly after launching what police described as a "completely random" attack on 21-year-old Claire Wilson as she walked through the centre of Grimsby near Hull.

McMullan, whom witnesses said walked casually away after stabbing the young woman in the back, will appear before Grimsby Magistrates on Tuesday charged with her murder.

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The young mum-to-be was attacked on her way to work at a local Pizza Hut in the town centre, police said.

Members of the public tried to give her first aid while others chased her attacker who was later picked up by a police van.

Wilson was rushed to the Diana Princess of Wales hospital in Grimsby but later died along with her unborn child, whom she had already named April.

Family and friends left flowers and cards at the scene of the attack several hundred yards from the main shopping centre.

Her partner Adam Kennard, 23, on Monday spent a distraught half hour at the spot, paying a heartbroken tribute to his girlfriend and unborn daughter.

After reading through the many cards and tributes, he left a number of personal items at the site, including a helium balloon reading 'Baby Girl'.

One card which was left with a tiny pair of red baby bootees said: "Baby April, you would have been the most loved baby in the world. Take care of your mum for us. Hope you like your shoes."