Menu
05/06/2009
Girl 'Deliberately Starved To Death, Court Told
A seven-year-old girl was starved to death and kept a prisoner in her own home by her mother and her partner, a court has today heard.
Khyra Ishaq was taken to hospital but died of an infection after being starved over a period of weeks or possibly even months.
The seven-year-old’s mother Angela Gordon, 34, and her partner Junaid Abuhamza, 30, both of Leyton Road, Handsworth, Birmingham both deny murdering her on 17 May last year.
Timothy Raggatt QC said Khyra had been starved to the point that was almost unique in the experience of British medical staff.
"It's highly likely that you will find some of what you will hear distressing and disturbing," Mr Raggatt told jurors at the start of the six-week trial.
"The actual means or process which resulted in [Khyra's death] was brought about by a series of actions that were in effect the deliberate and calculated starvation of that little girl over a period, certainly of weeks, and very possibly months."
He also said the jury would be shown a photograph of the seven-year-old when she was developing in a normal way and another photograph was taken of her shortly after her death.
Mr Raggatt said: "The purpose of that will not be to shock you. There is a clear and proper purpose to do that and it's this - they show as clearly as we possibly can the reality of what happened here."
The prosecutor told the jury they would see photographs of Khyra and that they may have seen such photographs in the context of famine in Africa.
He went on: "The cruelty and maltreatment of that little girl, you may well come to think, was both ultimately calculated and obviously deliberate."
He said Ms Gordon and Mr Abuhamza had betrayed their duty of care for Khyra and five other children.
Mr Abuhamza has admitted five counts of child cruelty while Ms Gordon denies five counts of child cruelty between December 2007 and May 17, 2008.
(JM/KMcA)
Khyra Ishaq was taken to hospital but died of an infection after being starved over a period of weeks or possibly even months.
The seven-year-old’s mother Angela Gordon, 34, and her partner Junaid Abuhamza, 30, both of Leyton Road, Handsworth, Birmingham both deny murdering her on 17 May last year.
Timothy Raggatt QC said Khyra had been starved to the point that was almost unique in the experience of British medical staff.
"It's highly likely that you will find some of what you will hear distressing and disturbing," Mr Raggatt told jurors at the start of the six-week trial.
"The actual means or process which resulted in [Khyra's death] was brought about by a series of actions that were in effect the deliberate and calculated starvation of that little girl over a period, certainly of weeks, and very possibly months."
He also said the jury would be shown a photograph of the seven-year-old when she was developing in a normal way and another photograph was taken of her shortly after her death.
Mr Raggatt said: "The purpose of that will not be to shock you. There is a clear and proper purpose to do that and it's this - they show as clearly as we possibly can the reality of what happened here."
The prosecutor told the jury they would see photographs of Khyra and that they may have seen such photographs in the context of famine in Africa.
He went on: "The cruelty and maltreatment of that little girl, you may well come to think, was both ultimately calculated and obviously deliberate."
He said Ms Gordon and Mr Abuhamza had betrayed their duty of care for Khyra and five other children.
Mr Abuhamza has admitted five counts of child cruelty while Ms Gordon denies five counts of child cruelty between December 2007 and May 17, 2008.
(JM/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 July 2008
Further Cruelty Charges For Khyra's Parents
The mother and step-father of Khyra Ishaq, who was found dead in her home in Birmingham in May, have appeared in court to face further charges of child cruelty. Seven-year-old Khyra was rushed to hospital on May 17 from her home in Leyton Road in Handsworth, but was later pronounced dead.
Further Cruelty Charges For Khyra's Parents
The mother and step-father of Khyra Ishaq, who was found dead in her home in Birmingham in May, have appeared in court to face further charges of child cruelty. Seven-year-old Khyra was rushed to hospital on May 17 from her home in Leyton Road in Handsworth, but was later pronounced dead.
22 May 2008
MP Demands Inquiry After Child's Death
An inquiry is being held after the death of a young girl who allegedly starved to death. Police have confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Saturday where she was pronounced dead. She has been named as Khyra Ishaq of Leyton Road, Handworth. Police have not confirmed her cause of death at this stage.
MP Demands Inquiry After Child's Death
An inquiry is being held after the death of a young girl who allegedly starved to death. Police have confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Saturday where she was pronounced dead. She has been named as Khyra Ishaq of Leyton Road, Handworth. Police have not confirmed her cause of death at this stage.
27 July 2010
Starved Girl's Death 'Preventable'
The death of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death at her home in Birmingham could have been prevented, a report has found. A Serious Case Review into the death of Khyra Ishaq identified several missed opportunities by professional agencies to intervene in her case, which could have saved her life.
Starved Girl's Death 'Preventable'
The death of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death at her home in Birmingham could have been prevented, a report has found. A Serious Case Review into the death of Khyra Ishaq identified several missed opportunities by professional agencies to intervene in her case, which could have saved her life.
11 July 2008
Couple Charged With Cruelty Offences
The mother and stepfather of a young girl who starved to death have been charged with cruelty to children offences. Seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq was found dead at her family home in Birmingham where she lived with her five siblings under the age of 16.
Couple Charged With Cruelty Offences
The mother and stepfather of a young girl who starved to death have been charged with cruelty to children offences. Seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq was found dead at her family home in Birmingham where she lived with her five siblings under the age of 16.
26 October 2007
Sir Elton's Photography Not 'Child Porn'
A photograph owned by Sir Elton John, which was seized from an art exhibition amid claims that it breached child pornography laws, has been declared as not indecent by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sir Elton's Photography Not 'Child Porn'
A photograph owned by Sir Elton John, which was seized from an art exhibition amid claims that it breached child pornography laws, has been declared as not indecent by the Crown Prosecution Service.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
