Daniel Mihai Popescu, a 29-year-old man, has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder and stalking of a pregnant woman, Andreea Pintili, in Aberfan, South Wales. The incidents leading to his arrest involved a disturbing pattern of behavior, including following Pintili, making unsolicited phone calls, filming her without consent, and uploading the videos on TikTok. The culmination of these events was a violent attack near Pintili’s home in December 2023, where Popescu stabbed her, causing serious concern for both her and her unborn child’s safety. This prompted an immediate and large-scale police response, including a lockdown of nearby schools and a significant law enforcement presence in the community.

Popescu’s actions, described in detail during his appearance at Cardiff Crown Court, have led to his remand in custody, awaiting sentencing on May 28. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke has indicated that he will face jail time, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. Popescu denied intimidating a witness, a charge on which the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to pursue a trial.

The attack took place not far from the site of the 1966 Aberfan disaster, adding a poignant context to the already grave incident. Pintili, who worked in a shop and had recently moved to the area, was hospitalized at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for treatment following the stabbing.

The community of Aberfan, along with broader audiences, awaits the final sentencing of Popescu, as the legal process unfolds to address this alarming case of violent crime.