Man, 39, is charged with murdering 'doting' mother, 29, who was stabbed to death with her four-month-old baby daughter in her arms
A man has been charged with murder after a 29-year-old mother was stabbed to death with her four-month-old baby in her arms.
Kimberley Deakin, from Burslem, was discovered with stab wounds in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire just before 4.45pm on Friday.
Neighbours said the mother was covered in blood as she fled onto the street screaming 'help, help' while carrying her daughter following a disturbance at a house.
She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Lewis Crofts, 39, of Broadstone, Dorset, who police say was known to the victim, has since been charged with her murder and remanded in custody.
Kimberley Deakin was discovered with stab wounds in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire on Friday. She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead
He will appear before North Staffordshire Justice Centre on November 9.
Today tributes were paid to the 'doting' mother by members in the community as they visited the scene to lay flowers.
One neighbour told The Sun Online: 'She seemed a doting mum who really loved her baby girl. You would see her smiling and talking to her.
'She was obviously a very loving mum. It's tragic and must be devastating for her family.
'I think the boyfriend only moved in a few weeks ago.'
June Cartwright, who lives near to the scene, said: 'This is such an awful thing to have happened and the community is in shock.
'My thoughts are with the woman's family.'
In a statement Staffordshire Police said: 'A 39-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Burslem on Friday 6 November.
The mother was rushed to hospital after she was discovered with stab wounds at around 4.45pm on Friday
A crime scene remains in place as forensic teams investigate the murder in Stoke-on-Trent
'Lewis Crofts, of Broadstone, Dorset, has been remanded in custody and will appear before North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday morning (9 November).
'Formal identification of the woman is still to take place, but she is believed to be Kimberley Deakin, aged 29, from Burslem. Kimberley and Lewis were known to each other.
'Her family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this time and we would kindly urge people to respect their privacy.
'A Home Office post mortem examination found the cause of Kimberley's death to be stab wounds.'
Anyone with any information should call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 430 of 6 November or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.