Stab victim June Jumaily desperately tried to protect herself as her husband allegedly attacked her with a knife in the kitchen of their home, a murder trial jury heard today (Friday).

Pathologist Dr Nat Carey, said Mrs Jumaily received stab wounds to her chest that punctured her lung and caused her death.

Dr Carey told the court that knife wounds had pierced Mrs Jumaily’s chest and also her hands.

He said that a stab wound had gone right through one of her hands which indicated she had tried to defend herself.

Amad Jumaily, aged 60, denies murdering his 46-year-old wife on 23 December 2009.

Luton Crown Court heard how Mrs Jumaily left her husband and began a relationship with another man.

On the day of her death she returned to the couple’s home in Field Road, Letchworth to discuss the separation of their belongings with her husband.

It is alleged that in a jealous rage the defendant attacked his wife with a kitchen knife, stabbing her 20 times.

The jury heard how Mr Jumaily is said to have sat on top of her, repeatedly stabbing his wife.

The couple’s 18-year-old daughter, Ria Jumaily, who was in the house, is said to have to pursuaded her father to give her the the knife. She then locked him in a room in the home.

Mrs Jmaily was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

In the witness box, Dr Carey said the fatal wound had punctured her lung causing blood to seep into her chest, causing her death.

He said the knife had pierced not just the front of her chest but her back also.

The case continues.