A grandmother was brutally stabbed 18 times at a north London bus stop by a man with a fixation on violent online 'gore' videos, the Old Bailey has heard.
A 'Senseless' Attack on Edgware Road
Anita Mukhey, a 66-year-old medical secretary, was waiting for a bus on Edgware Road on 9 May 2024 when she was allegedly set upon in an unprovoked assault. Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told jurors the attack was 'senseless' and that the victim and her attacker, Jala Debella, were complete strangers.
The court heard that witnesses saw a man argue with and repeatedly punch Mrs Mukhey before a knife was seen in his hand. After a high-pitched scream, the victim collapsed in the road. The attacker then 'casually' walked away, discarding an item in a bin as he left the scene.
Despite the efforts of passers-by, police, paramedics, and a helicopter emergency medical team, Mrs Mukhey was pronounced dead at 12.22pm.
Online Knife Purchase and Violent Interests
Jurors were told that Debella, who lived in a supported residential home in Colindale, had a 'particular interest' in knives and extreme online violence. Just three days before the killing, he successfully purchased a hunting knife with a sheath from an online retailer.
The weapon was delivered to him at 10.44am on the day of the attack. Minutes later, he searched for 'killing video' and visited websites containing graphic violent content, the prosecution said.
The court heard that in the months leading up to the attack, Debella had also bought a 21cm blade from a shop in Covent Garden and attempted to buy another fixed-blade knife online, but was refused due to his address.
Forensic Evidence and Arrest
CCTV footage captured the defendant walking past the bus stop and returning to the scene where Mrs Mukhey was attacked. Police later recovered a knife that matched the one Debella had bought online. Forensic analysis found DNA from both Debella and Mrs Mukhey on the blade.
After returning home, Debella allegedly searched for 'knife', 'gore video' and 'breaking news'. When police arrested him at 4.46pm, an officer recognised him from CCTV despite a change of clothes.
Bloodstained Nike trainers seized from his room contained DNA that was 'one billion times' more likely to have come from Debella and Mrs Mukhey than from unknown individuals. Debella was subsequently charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The trial of facts continues at the Old Bailey, with the jury tasked with determining whether Debella carried out the killing. The defendant was not present in court as he was reported to be unwell.
