6 months ago
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Wales News Service
Popescu pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Andreea Pintili in December 2023
A man has been jailed 17 years and four months for stabbing his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend in a street attack.
Daniel Popescu, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Andreea Pintili in Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, on 5 December 2023.
The 29-year-old also admitted stalking offences.
Prosecutor John Hipkin KC told the court Popescu had been in a relationship with Ms Pintilli from September 2020 until it ended in August 2023 over his gambling habit.
He became obsessed with his ex-girlfriend and, on 27 October, followed her and her son, took a picture of the pair and posted it on TikTok.
Days later he left his clothes in two black bags on her doorstep and left a voicemail message saying: "I’m not going anywhere until you get back with me."
Popescu was then arrested and told to not contact Ms Pintilli, who moved moved to Aberfan after the incident.
Andreea Pintili
Andreea Pintili was pregnant when she was stabbed
On 5 December, Ms Pintelli heard footsteps behind her after leaving home at 07:45.
She was grabbed and then stabbed a number of times by Popescu with an 8-inch (20cm) knife.
The court heard her instinct was to protect her unborn child - she was 37 weeks pregnant at the time.
Popescu told her: "I have a knife and I am going to kill you."
PA Media
Daniel Mihai Popescu was sleeping rough at the time of the stabbing, the court heard
The court was shown CCTV of the incident which included screams from a passer-by who ran over and tried to stop Popescu, who then fled the scene.
Popescu was described by Ms Pintilli as a jealous man who could not face the fact they had split up.
In her victim personal statement read to the court she said: “I feel lucky to be alive after this harrowing experience.
"He told me he had a knife and to get into the house. I have no doubt if I went in to the house he would have killed me.
"His intention that day was to kill me and my unborn child."
