The suspected knifeman who allegedly stabbed a heavily pregnant woman in a ‘targeted’ knife attack in the Welsh village of Aberfan has appeared in court charged with attempted murder, witness intimidation and stalking. 

Mother-of-two Andreea Pintilli, 29, was stabbed ‘at least five times’ by a man ‘lying in wait’ outside her home on Tuesday as she returned from taking her children to school.

After Tuesday’s attack, police launched a search and Daniel Mihai Popescu, 28, was arrested. He was charged with attempted murder on Wednesday evening. 

The Crown Prosecution Service added that they had further authorised charges of stalking and witness intimation. 

He did not enter a plea to the three charges against him. District Judge Neale Thomas remanded the defendant into custody and adjourned the case to Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where Popescu will next appear on January 4. 

Mother-of-two Andreea Pintilli, 29, was stabbed ‘at least five times’ by a man ‘lying in wait’ outside her home on Tuesday as she returned from taking her children to school

Police launched a search after the stabbing and Daniel Mihai Popescu, 28, was arrested

Ms Pintilli’s injuries are fortunately not life threatening and police said there are ‘no issues’ with her unborn baby, who is due around Christmas.

Eyewitnesses told how, as she lay bleeding in the street, Ms Pintilli – who had gone on maternity leave from her job at Home Bargains just four days previously – managed to phone a friend and told them: ‘He tried to kill me’. 

Her ex-partner Teodor Balan, 34, who is the father of her two children, said: ‘Thank God she is OK, I was so worried about her.’

He added: ‘She is a very good mother, she is looking after the children very well. It was difficult for her to bring up two children while working part time.’

Mr Balan, who was in a relationship with Ms Pintilli for nearly ten years until 2020, told The Times he was ‘so worried’ about her.

‘She called me in the morning. I’m still friends with her. I helped her move her stuff, and helped her paint,’ he said. 

A horrified bystander revealed how Ms Pintilli, who is 37 weeks pregnant, attempted to shield her unborn child during the attack.

Veterinary nurse Katie Roberts, 31, who rushed to help, said: ‘She was very brave and worried about her baby.’

She added the assailant was using a ‘large knife’ to inflict multiple stab wounds, and that he had been aiming for her stomach. 

Ms Pintilli has since been released from hospital, police have confirmed. 

Daniel Mihai Popescu is pictured arriving at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court in south Wales on Thursday

He is set to appear at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning

The scene on Moy Road in the village of Aberfan, Merthyr, South Wales, after a 29-year-old woman was stabbed on Tuesday

Ms Pintilli, 37 weeks pregnant, worked at a Home Bargains store and had gone on maternity leave just four days before the attack 

Ms Pintilli has since been released from hospital and police say there is no risk to her baby 

Armed police swooped on Moy Road, Aberfan, in the south Wales village shortly after 9am yesterday when the mother – who had moved to the area with her two children last month – was reportedly found in a pool of blood on the pavement

Schools, community centres and public buildings in a five mile radius went into lockdown while the suspect was on the run. Neighbours ran into the street with pillows and blankets while emergency services arrived. 

Officers previously said they had arrested a 28-year-old man from Merthyr, who is known to the victim, on suspicion of attempted murder after a seven-hour manhunt. 

In a statement, South Wales Police said: ‘Daniel Mihai Popescu, aged 28, from Merthyr has today, Wednesday 6th December, been charged with attempt (sic) murder following an incident on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr, yesterday morning. 

‘He will appear at Merthyr Magistrates Court tomorrow morning, Thursday 7th December at 10am.

‘The 29-year-old woman who was injured during the incident has been discharged from hospital.’

Jordan Jones, Senior Crown Prosecutor of CPS Cymru-Wales said; ‘Following a review of evidence provided by South Wales Police, we have authorised charges against a man who stabbed a female in Aberfan yesterday, 5 December 2023.

‘Daniel Mihai Popescu, 29, has been charged with attempted murder, stalking and witness intimation.

‘He has been remanded in custody to appear before Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on the 7 December 2023.

‘Criminal proceedings are active and Popescu has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

The suspected knifeman was arrested after armed police surrounded a house in the village of Troedyrhiw, three miles from the scene of the stabbing.

Four armed officers burst into the pale yellow three-bedroomed terraced property at 3.30pm while neighbours were advised to stay indoors.

Police were inside for 30 minutes before the front door opened and a man in a black hoodie was bundled into the rear of a police car and driven off.

Mr Popescu, from Merthyr Tydfil, will appear before the town’s magistrates this morning.