Woman, 34, dies after being stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city

A 34-year-old woman, Katie Fox, has died after being stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city centre on Friday night.

The attack occurred on Smallbrook Queensway shortly before 9 p.m. Ms Fox was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries, according to West Midlands Police.

On Monday morning, 21-year-old Djeison Rafael, from Rosedale Avenue in Smethwick, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder. Rafael, who repeatedly interrupted the brief six-minute hearing, was told by the judge to remain silent and face forward.

In addition to the murder charge, Rafael faces two counts of actual bodily harm from incidents on 27 October and 7 November, possession of a Stanley knife on 7 November, and assaulting a detention escort officer on 8 November.

District Judge John Bristow ruled that the case was too serious for the magistrates’ court and referred it to the crown court, where Rafael will enter his pleas on 12 November.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or Rafael’s movements — he was reportedly wearing a grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers, and carrying a rucksack — to come forward.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her shock over the "unprovoked attack" and thanked the police for their swift action. On X, she wrote: “My thoughts are with the victim, her family and friends,” urging witnesses to contact authorities via 101.