Stabbed Abigail's joy after birth

A hospital statement said Mrs Witchalls had a natural birth

Stabbing victim Abigail Witchalls has told how carrying her baby gave her "great strength and comfort".

The Witchalls family, from Surrey, released a statement on Saturday about the birth of her second boy, who was five weeks early but healthy.

Mrs Witchalls' husband, Benoit, said the family was "looking forward to an exciting homecoming once more."

Last week, Mrs Witchalls left hospital after treatment for partial paralysis following the attack in April.

The statement said Mrs Witchalls had a natural birth with very little assistance and did not require a Caesarean section on Friday at St George's Hospital, Tooting, south London.

With help to support her newborn, who weighed 5lbs 6oz, Mrs Witchalls had started breastfeeding successfully, the family said.

'Exciting homecoming'

Mrs Witchalls, 26, who will remain in hospital for several days, said: "I have found great strength and comfort in carrying this child over the past few months and it is such a blessing and a joy to now finally see him face to face."

Mr Witchalls said: "Once again the healthcare professionals here at St George's have been so attentive and generous.

"We are really looking forward to an exciting homecoming once more, except now with another beautiful son and brother for Joseph."

Prayers of thanksgiving were said on Saturday in Little Bookham, where Mrs Witchalls was stabbed in front of her toddler son, near her home.

Mrs Witchalls has slowly been regaining movement

Father John Sheehy, at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, said: "I am delighted the baby is safely delivered.

"We are all offering prayers of thanksgiving and will continue to pray for the welfare of the family."

Mrs Witchalls was in the early stages of pregnancy when she was attacked while pushing her son Joseph in a buggy along a country lane near her home.

She told police she turned to see her attacker holding a knife to her son's throat as she tried to open a gate in front of her.

She walked towards her would-be killer before being stabbed in the back of the neck and left with a three-inch wound.