A man has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his former partner and her baby son after their relationship broke down.

Rehan Khan, 26, stabbed Salma Sheikh, 33, and her then 11-month-old child at their home in Feltham, west London, on June 4 last year.

The baby was knifed three times, while his mother suffered five stab wounds to the head, shoulder and back as she tried to protect him.

The boy was airlifted to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and was eventually discharged on July 5 2018.

Ms Sheikh was discharged on June 19.

Khan, a Pakistani national, of Feltham, previously denied two charges of attempted murder.

But on Monday he pleaded guilty to both charges at the Old Bailey, on what was going to be the first day of his trial.

His head was slightly bowed and his fingers were clasped together as he entered his pleas.

Judge Sean Enright adjourned the case for sentencing to a date to be fixed.

Khan's lawyer, Bernard Richmond QC, asked for psychiatric reports to be prepared.

By Henry Vaughan