Man charged after newborn baby was stabbed at home

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a mum and her three-week-old baby were stabbed.

Emergency services were called to an address in Wallsend, North Tyneside, at 2.15pm on Wednesday.

They found a 21-year-old woman and her baby son injured and the victims were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

This morning, Northumbria Police said the woman’s condition is serious but stable although her baby remains critically ill.

Denis Erdinch Beytula, who police say is known to the victims, was arrested at the address and has now been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

The 27-year-old is due to appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court later today.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cole, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘This has been a very difficult investigation and I know the wider community are in shock.

‘A mother and her child have been seriously injured but I know the community in Wallsend will rally around them at what is a devastating time for the family.

‘Thankfully the condition of the mother has improved over night and, although she is still in a serious condition, she is awake and talking in hospital.

‘Her son remains in a critical condition and I know that doctors have been doing everything they can to save his life.

‘Our investigation will continue today but I hope the fact that a man has been charged this morning will offer some reassurance to the public.

‘I want to reiterate that this does not appear to be a random attack and that those involved are all known to each other – there is no wider risk to the public.

‘It has also been a very traumatic incident for those officers who responded to this call. Together with paramedics they have saved the woman’s life and give the baby a fighting chance in hospital.

‘We are doing everything we can to offer them any support they need and I want to thank them for their quick response in very difficult circumstances.’

Police said they would still be conducting patrols in Wallsend today and anyone with concerns was welcome to speak to their officers.

Police remain at the scene of the stabbing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.