Screams rang out across cul-de-sac: Teen refused bail over stabbing of pregnant woman

A PREGNANT woman and unborn child remain in a “stable” condition in hospital as alleged teen attacker case hits court.

A 14-YEAR-old boy, charged with breaking into a pregnant woman’s home in Sydney’s north and attempting to stab her to death in the space of six minutes, has been formally refused bail in a children’s court.

Pei-Jiun Cheah, who is seven months’ pregnant, remains in a stable condition at Royal North Shore Hospital after being stabbed multiple times in the chest and stomach in the attack at her two-storey brick house in Mt Colah on Thursday night.

The child she is carrying is also in a stable condition, the 33-year-old’s family said in a statement on Saturday.

According to Ms Cheah’s neighbours, her screams for help rang out around the cul-de-sac after the attack.

Droplets of blood on the ground show the path the physiotherapist staggered along that night in desperation.

Neighbour Mark Bolger on Friday said they had tried to help the stricken woman inside their home but she stayed slumped in his doorway, so they swaddled her with blankets until police arrived.

A local teenager, allegedly responsible, was found in a nearby home about an hour later and underwent surgery himself for hand injuries later that night, police say.

He has been charged with attempted murder, special aggravated break-and-enter, committing a serious indictable offence and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The offences were allegedly all related to Ms Cheah being attacked in her own home between 8.45pm and 8.51pm, according to court documents.

Pei-Jiun Cheah and her unborn child are in a stable condition, her family says. Picture: Supplied

Legal Aid NSW solicitor Matt Dimich represented the 14-year-old in Parramatta Children’s Court on Saturday.

No application was made for bail and it was formally refused by magistrate Paul Mulroney, who adjourned the matter to Surry Hills Children’s Court on September 25, where the teenager is expected to appear via video link.

Ms Cheah’s family said they will be making no comment on the suspect as the investigation is before the court but labelled the incident a “senseless, terrible, and random act of violence” against their loved one.

“We would like to acknowledge the brave acts of kindness and care that the neighbourhood of Mt Colah extended to Pei-Jiun, in the short moments after the assault,” they said in a statement on Saturday morning.

“We likewise thank the emergency services and medical staff who promptly responded in getting Pei-Jiun to safety, and the police personnel for their immediate investigation into the matter.” The family have requested respect and privacy, saying they are all now “solely focused” on Ms Cheah’s full recovery.

Police officers are seen at the scene of a home invasion which saw a pregnant Pei-Jiun Cheah stabbed. Picture: AAP/Perry Duffin