A 31-year-old man has been jailed for 21 years after he left his pregnant in a vegetative state with “virtually no chance of recovery”.

Petar Petrov had been in a relationship with the 30-year-old victim for just over a year after they met while working in a Knightsbridge Hotel.

On Friday, August 5 neighbours reported hearing shouting and arguing at their flat in Enfield around 8pm and one resident recalled hearing a man shouting followed by a bang that “sounded like a car crash”.

A member of the public found Petrov lying unresponsive on the floor and surrounded by blood and glass, suffering from knife wounds to his body.

Another member of the public entered Petrov's flat and found his fiancé lying on the floor with injuries to her head and neck, and the neighbour quickly realised she was pregnant.

He then began first aid with the help of a paramedic over the phone

'Incomprehensible'

Detective Inspector Christopher Skelt, from Enfield Police Community Safety Unit, said: "The severity of the sentence handed to Petrov today reflects the seriousness of this offence. This has been a truly shocking case. It is incomprehensible to think that a father-to-be could carry out such a violent and horrific attack on his partner when she was eight months pregnant with their baby.

"I am very pleased the judge commended the bravery of Mr Kerry Keogh who found and helped the victim at the scene following her ordeal. I personally would like to also commend all the members of the public who were first at this distressing scene, and who performed first aid on the injured parties and called the emergency services. Their quick actions were crucial in getting the victim the medical attention she needed, saving the mother and unborn child's lives.

"Sadly the mother remains in a persistent vegetative state with virtually no chance of recovery. Thankfully her child was born without any physical injuries via caesarean section however; unfortunately, this child is likely to never know his parents.

"Enfield Borough Community Safety Unit conducted a thorough investigation that led to Petrov's guilty plea. This meant that the members of the public who were witnesses were not required to give evidence forcing them to relive the terrible events of that day.

'Never revealed the motive'

"Petrov has never revealed the motive behind his shocking attack. Cases like this lead me to re-iterate to anyone who is either in or knows a person in a relationship suffering abuse, to report it to police."

The victim was taken to hospital suffering from several facial injuries including a stab wound, and severe bruising to her lungs.

In order to save the baby's life, doctors performed an emergency caesarean section and the baby was born premature, but with no physical injuries, four days after the attack.

Self inflicted wounds

Petrov, a Bulgarian national of Densworth Grove in Enfield, had injuries consistent with falling from a height and self-inflicted wounds.

He was taken to hospital and later arrested.

Petrov pleaded guilty to attempted murder at the Old Bailey on Wednesday (January 11), and was sentenced on Friday at the same court (February 10).

Attempted murder

He was sentenced to 21 years in prison for attempted murder.

The judge commended the witness who helped save the life of the victim and her unborn child, and the witness was given a Sheriff's reward of £500.

Petrov was given an extended license of five years and issued with a European Protection Order preventing him from ever entering a country in the EU where the victim lives.

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