Obsessed Knifeman Stabbed Woman 18 Times at Bus Stop, Court Told

A knifeman obsessed with violent videos stabbed a woman 18 times as she waited at a bus stop, a court has heard. Several members of the public allegedly saw Jala Debella, 24, carrying out the “senseless attack” on Anita Mukhey, 66, in north London, at 11.50am on May 9 2024. Afterwards, Mr Debella “casually” walked away and people rushed to help the victim and call 999. Ms Mukhey died at 12.22pm despite efforts of medics and police, the Old Bailey heard. On Monday, jurors were told that Mr Debella was unwell and could not attend court as prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC opened a trial of the facts. Mr Polnay told jurors their task was to determine whether Mr Debella had killed Ms Mukhey, as the evidence “most strongly” suggested. He said: “Debella killed Ms Mukhey in a senseless attack – so far as the prosecution are aware, they were completely unknown to each other.” The court was told that Mr Debella had lived in Colindale, north-west London, in a residential home supporting people with mental health problems. Mr Polnay said the defendant had a “particular interest in very violent videos” online, which depicted extreme violence with knives and other weapons. The defendant also had a “particular interest in knives” and two months before the killing had bought a 21cm long blade for £120 from a shop in Covent Garden, jurors heard. On April 26 2024, he tried to buy a “Survivor 9.5 fixed blade knife” from blades.co.uk, which declined to supply it to him because of where he lived. Just three days before the killing, he successfully purchased a hunting knife with a sheaf from knifewarehouse.co.uk, the court was told. Mr Debella had tracked delivery of the hunting knife on the Royal Mail website before receiving it at 10.44am on the day of the attack. Minutes later, Mr Debella searched on his computer for “killing video” and visited a website containing graphic violent content, jurors heard. CCTV then picked up the defendant walking north in Edgware Road, past a bus stop and then returning to the scene where Ms Mukhey was attacked. Thirty seconds later, she could be seen collapsing in the road with the first 999 call being made at 11.48am. Witnesses described seeing a male appear to argue and punch the victim in the face and stomach repeatedly then seeing a knife in the attacker’s hand. There was a “high-pitched scream” before the victim collapsed on the ground and the man “casually” walked away, jurors were told. As he left the area, the defendant was seen to throw something in a bin. Later that day, police recovered a knife which looked identical to the one Mr Debella had bought online, Mr Polnay said. Forensic analysis showed it had DNA from Mr Debella and Ms Mukhey on it, the court was told. On returning home, Mr Debella allegedly searched the internet for “knife”, “gore video” and “breaking news”. Police arrived at 4.46pm and an officer saw Mr Debella in the communal corridor and recognised him from CCTV footage, even though he had changed his clothes, it was alleged. On being arrested on suspicion of murder, he said: “I want to speak to my lawyer.” Examination of bloodstained Nike trainers seized from his room identified DNA “one billion times” more likely to come from Mr Debella and Ms Mukhey than unknown people. In a police interview, Mr Debella made no comment and was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. The trial of issue at the Old Bailey before Judge Philip Katz KC continues.