These chilling CCTV images show a mother's final moments as she walks with her three-year-old daughter on the school run before being brutally stabbed and killed by her estranged husband, a court has heard.
Brazilian Ricardo Godinho, 41, saw the CCTV images from the dock, where he sat accused of the murder of Aliny Mendes, 39, near a school in Ewell, Surrey, on February 8.
The mother-of-four was going to collect their children from school when she was killed in the frenzied attack when the 41-year-old got out of a Ford Ranger pick-up truck before stabbing her in front of her three-year-old daughter, a court heard.
The jury watched as Godinho (pictured) walked into a service station wearing a beige cap and his dark work overalls, prior to attacking the mother-of-four
The 39-year-old Brazilian screamed in horror when she saw Godinho come running at her and then inflicted several devastating knife wounds to her upper body.
Jurors at Guildford Crown Court previously heard Godinho used a tracking feature on one of their children's phones to find them after Ms Mendes left him.
The attack to Ms Mendes's chest and neck, in the pouring rain, was witnessed by horrified passers-by in the street - including by mothers on the 3pm school run
Footage from the bus showed the chilling moments the mothers walked down the pavement and as the bus drove further into the distance.
The jury could faintly distinguish his vehicle mount the kerb behind them - in the seconds before he began his senseless assault.
The attack to Ms Mendes's chest and neck, in the pouring rain, was witnessed by horrified passers-by in the street - including by mothers on the 3pm school run, the jury heard.
The court heard that Godinho, after stabbing Ms Mendes, had fled the scene in the truck and driven back to the office of his maintenance company nearby before telling his secretary: 'I stabbed Aliny. I think she is dead. I stabbed her several times.' He subsequently rushed from his office in a Renault van.
Police at the scene of the attack. Godinho fled after the alleged stabbing and drove back to the office of his maintenance company
His secretary, Andreia Cordoso, called police and officers tracked Godinho using the tracking systems used on his company's vehicles and he was arrested a short time after the attack, the jury heard.
Ms Lumsdon QC said he was interviewed by police but made no comment and while in custody was overheard by an officer saying: 'I kill my wife because of f****** problems.'
Ricardo Godinho (left) is accused of murdering his estranged wife Aliny Mendes (right)
Godinho, of Epsom, Surrey, appeared before a jury of seven women and five men, wearing a blue jumper.
He spoke only to confirm his name.
He is of Brazilian and Italian nationality and appeared in court with the help of a Portuguese interpreter and was represented by defence barrister Tom Little QC.
The High Sheriff of Surrey, Mrs Bridget Biddell, appeared alongside Mrs Justice Thornton at the head of the court.
The trial, which was estimated to last 10 days, continues at Guildford Crown Court.
No comments:
Post a Comment