Man arrested after pregnant woman repeatedly punched in stomach

The sickening attack took place in North London

A man in his late 50s has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after CCTV footage captured him carrying out a horrific attack on a pregnant woman in Stamford Hill. In the footage, the 20-year-old woman is followed into an alleyway before having a pillowcase pulled over her head and being repeatedly punched in the stomach. The victim was around 28 weeks pregnant, and was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The effect that this attack may have on her unborn child is unknown. Herschel Gluck, the area's rabbi and head of a neighbourhood watch group in the Stamford Hill area, said that the woman had been left 'traumatised' by the attack, and that everyone must ensure that the safety of women in the area 'is put on the front burner and is assured.' He went on to say: "She is a young woman, she has never experienced anything similar to this in her life.

"The child, the embryo is very developed, 27/28 weeks, and therefore I dread to think what effect this will have on the unborn child."

The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident but do not believe that it is linked to any other offences currently. They have also said that police are conducting patrols in the area to reassure the local community. Anyone with information on the incident should contact the police on 101, quoting reference Cad 6517/18Mar. Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, the woman's brother stated his belief that the attack was antisemitic. Solomo Reis said: “It was because she was Jewish. She was wearing a Jewish headscarf at the time. “She felt someone was following her. Then he put a bag of some kind over her face and punched her a few times. “She lives with her husband, and was visiting her father when it happened.”