A 50-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a pregnant woman who was shot through the stomach with a crossbow.

Sana Muhammad, aged 35, was eight months pregnant but her baby survived after an emergency Caesarean section it has been reported.

Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo has been charged with her murder.

Sana Muhammad was killed in front of her five  children her husband Imtiaz Muhammad said.

Police were called at approximately 07:40hrs on Monday, 12 November to reports of a disturbance at an address in Applegarth Drive, Ilford.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a 35-year-old woman suffering an abdominal wound/injury.

The injured woman was taken to an east London hospital where she was sadly pronounced dead at 1100hrs.

Políce said a 50-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken to an east London police station and was subsequently further arrested for murder.

He remains in custody at this time.

No other persons are sought in connection with this investigation. The arrested man and woman were known to each other.

DCI Gary Holmes, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, leading the investigation, said; "This is a tragic incident and our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends of the victim.

"I am appealing for any witnesses who were in the area of Applegarth Drive from the evening of Sunday, 11 November to the morning of Monday, 12 November to please contact us with any information they might have, however small. It could prove vital to our ongoing enquiry."

Anyone with information can ring the dedicated incident room on 0208 345 1570.