A domestic abuser who lay in wait for a woman before launching a 'senseless and horrendous attack" and leaving her to die has been jailed.

And a member of the public who stepped in and saved the woman's life after hearing her screams has received a judge's commendation.

Itesh Ira, 35, of Belmont Avenue, Wembley was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and nine months in prison following a trial at the Old Bailey on May 2.

Emergency services were called to Mount Pleasant, Wembley during the early hours of September 30, 2022, to reports that a woman had been repeatedly stabbed in the street.

Police and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended and found the victim lying on the pavement barely conscious with multiple stab wounds to her face, neck and body.

Officers also located a bloodstained knife nearby that had been snapped in half due to the force used during the attack, Scotland Yard said.

The victim had been saved by a man who had heard the woman's screams and challenged Ira who then fled.

The brutal attack was captured on CCTV.

Footage showed that after the frenzied stabbing, Ira repeatedly stamped on the victim’s head as she lay motionless on the floor.

He only stopped when a witness who had heard the victim’s screams came out of his home and challenged him – and he immediately fled the scene.

An immediate manhunt was launched, which resulted in Ira handing himself in at Wembley Police Station.

Officers noted he had a fresh wound to his hand as well as traces of blood on his clothing.

The victim – who was known to Ira - was rushed to hospital where received weeks of treatment for her injuries.

The medical report indicated that she had received eight cuts to her face, neck and body, significant wounding to her head, and fractures to her right hand.

During police interview, Ira answered no comment to all questions put to him, and was subsequently charged.

On October 2022 he pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of a pointed/bladed article, but later made unsuccessful attempts to vacate his pleas.

Detective Sergeant Mitesh Mulji, from North West Command’s Public Protection Unit, said: "Ira armed himself with a knife and lay in wait for the victim to finish work late at night before launching a senseless and horrendous act of violence in the middle of the street.

"It is clear from the sheer brutal and sustained force he used that his intention was to kill the victim.

“It is because of horrific incidents such as these that violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the Met Police. Our efforts to bring violent and dangerous perpetrators of domestic abuse to justice will not waiver as we continue to work closely alongside our partners.

“The strength and bravery of the victim in supporting this prosecution has been extraordinary. Unsurprisingly she remains seriously physically and psychologically scarred as a result of the incident, but I hope she is able to gain some sense of closure following this outcome, and knows that thanks to her courage Ira will be unable to harm any further women.

"I must also commend the actions of the courageous member of public who has deservedly been awarded with a Judge’s Commendation for his bravery in challenging Ira during the incident to stop an ongoing serious violent attack and saving the victim’s life”.

Any victim of domestic violence or anyone worried about someone else who needs help should approach the police or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you need urgent help and cannot talk, dial 999 and press 55 to let the operator know the call has not been made in error.