A 50-year-old man has appeared in court today accused of shooting dead his heavily pregnant ex-wife with a crossbow.

Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, of no fixed abode, has been charged with the murder of 35-year-old Sana Muhammad.

The victim, formerly known as Devi Unmathallegadoo before her remarriage, was attacked in front of her children at her home in Ilford, east London, on Monday while doing the washing up.

The mum-of-five, who was eight months pregnant, suffered an abdominal injury and was rushed to hospital where she died.

Doctors managed to save the life of her baby who has been named Ibrahim by her relatives.

It is believed the crossbow bolt missed the baby by inches and her heartbroken husband Imtiaz Muhammad said doctors had to operate with the arrow still inside her.

Imtiaz, 42, described Sana as a "wonderful mother and wife".

The defendant appeared at the Old Bailey before Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC via video link from Pentonville prison today.

He wore a grey sweatshirt, jeans and spectacles, and had unkempt black hair.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and British nationality in a high-pitched voice.

Unmathallegadoo sat with his hands in his lap and stared straight ahead throughout the briefing hearing.

The judge set a timetable for the case with a plea hearing on February 6 and a provisional trial from April 8.

The trial is expected to go on at the Old Bailey for up to two weeks. The defendant was remanded into custody.