A Birmingham mother who survived a horrific 24-stab knife attack while heavily pregnant has spoken of her terror after learning the man who tried to kill her is set to be moved to an open prison years ahead of schedule.
A Brutal Attack and a Miraculous Survival
Natalie Queiroz was eight months pregnant in March 2016 when she was savagely attacked by Babur Raja, the father of her unborn child, in Sutton Coldfield town centre. The court heard how she was stabbed 24 times in a frenzied assault.
Birmingham Crown Court was told that her breast implants likely saved her life by absorbing the brunt of the knife blows. Miraculously, both Natalie and her baby survived the ordeal, with her child being born safe and well afterwards.
Justice Questioned as Perpetrator Nears Transfer
Babur Raja was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder, attempted child destruction, possession of a knife in public, and the wounding and assault of two passers-by who tried to intervene.
Now, a tearful Ms Queiroz has revealed she has been informed that Raja is due to be imminently moved to an open prison, a move that would occur four years earlier than many would expect. This news comes at a time of heightened concern over jail security standards, with a number of inmates having been freed by mistake.
A Victim's Fight for Safety and Systemic Change
"Any day now, my ex who created this untold horror is about to go to an open prison," Ms Queiroz told Sky News. "It doesn't feel right, it's terrifying, and it also doesn't feel like justice."
Her fears are compounded by warnings from Mark Drury of the Prison Governors' Association, who reported a "spike" in escapes from low-security open prisons.
In response, Natalie Queiroz has launched a campaign, meeting with Government ministers to argue against moving those jailed for violence and domestic abuse to open conditions early. She recounted a chilling admission from officials, stating, "They actually said - he is dangerous... I said to [the minister]: 'How can you make a risk assessment for someone like that?' And they went: 'If we're honest, we can't.'"
In a statement to Sky News, the government described Raja's crimes as "horrific" and said its thoughts remain with the victim. They emphasised that offenders eligible for moves face a "strict, thorough risk assessment" and can be immediately returned to closed conditions if they break the rules.
