A CROSSBOW killer shot dead his pregnant ex-wife in a revenge murder he had been plotting for more than a year, the Old Bailey was told today.
Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, allegedly burst out of the garden shed of mum-of-five Devi Unmathallegadoo's home in Ilford, East London, armed with two crossbows on November 12 last year.
The 35-year-old died from devastating internal injuries but her unborn baby was delivered by Caesarean section and survived, the court heard.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC told the jury the couple got divorced since 2014 and the victim, whose first marriage had been arranged, had since started a new relationship.
But, he added, Mr Unmathallegadoo had "not reacted well" and spent a year plotting against his ex-wife and her partner.
The court was told the attack came following more than a year of planning and he had stored the weapons near the family home since November 2017.
The accused allegedly carried out surveillance of his ex-wife's home and made notes on the comings and goings.
ACCUSED 'WENT ARMED TO EX'S HOUSE'
On the day of the killing, he was armed with bolts, a hammer, a knife, cable ties and duct tape.
The prosecution claimed his plan was to restrain his ex-wife and her new partner, and then kill them and their unborn child.
But he was disturbed when the victim's partner took a box to store in the shed, jurors heard.
The defendant chased him into the house, carrying the two crossbows, and shot his ex-wife as she fled upstairs.
He was disarmed by two of her older children in the house and allegedly told them: "It would have been easier if you guys weren't here, like I would have done it."
Afterwards, the defendant allegedly claimed his intended target was her new partner and he shot his ex-wife by accident.
But Mr Wright suggested the evidence would show the victim, who was also known as Sana, was the "principal target".
He said: "This was a quite deliberate and calculated act of revenge on his part intended to cause at the very least the death of Devi and the extinction of the child she carried."
The defendant, formerly of Ilford, has denied murder and the attempted destruction of the unborn child.
The trial continues.
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