A 31-year-old mother has been accused of violently shaking her two-year-old daughter, leading to fatal head injuries, a court has heard.
Morsal Mohammed Naim, of no fixed address, is currently standing trial for the murder of her daughter, Omra Wali Jan, at Manchester Crown Court.
The court was told that Omra tragically passed away on February 9, 2024, after sustaining severe head injuries on November 30, 2023.
Omra, who was born in Afghanistan and had been raised by her father’s family, came to live in the UK in September 2023, settling in Levenshulme with her parents, Naim and her partner, Firooz Wali Jan.
During this brief period in the UK, the toddler endured an appalling campaign of abuse, which included deliberate injuries inflicted by both parents.
Prosecutor John Elvidge KC revealed in court that both Naim and Wali Jan had pleaded guilty to charges of child cruelty for deliberately burning their daughter’s hand, neck, and upper arm.
However, it is the allegations of murder that have brought Naim to the dock. The prosecution claims that she is responsible for the fatal head injuries, which were inflicted when she allegedly shook Omra so violently that it caused catastrophic brain injuries.
Prosecutor John Elvidge KC said: ‘Ms Naim is also charged with murder because the prosecution alleges that she is responsible for the head injuries which caused Omra to die.
Morsal Mohammed Naim, of no fixed address, is currently standing trial for the murder of her daughter, Omra Wali Jan, at Manchester Crown Court (above)
‘These were severe traumatic head injuries and they were inflicted when her mother shook Omra so severely that her head was shaken, rapidly, backwards and forwards so as to cause catastrophic brain injuries.’
On November 20, 2023, emergency services were called to the family home after a relative reported that Omra had ‘choked’ and was not breathing.
When paramedics arrived, they found the child unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Naim was at the scene and assisted by a neighbour who acted as an interpreter, while Wali Jan was at work.
Omra was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after emergency treatment, where doctors noted multiple bruises and injuries, including distinctive patterned scars on her hand, neck, and arm.
A CT scan revealed the extent of the injuries, showing devastating brain damage, including multiple subdural haemorrhages, extensive brain injury due to a lack of oxygen, and retinal haemorrhages in the right eye.
The scan also revealed that Omra had suffered several rib fractures, both old and new.
‘On visual examination the paramedics who responded to the emergency call and the doctors who received Omra at hospital noted that she had a number of bruises and marks to her head and body. The medical staff took photographs. The marks included distinctive patterned scars on her right hand, neck and upper left arm,’ said Mr Elvidge KC.
‘Subsequently, that same evening, a CT scan revealed that Omra had suffered a devastating brain injury involving multifocal subdural haemorrhage, extensive hypoxic brain injury, and multiple retinal haemorrhages in the right eye.
‘The CT scan also showed that Omra had a healing rib fracture and an MRI scan suggested three more acute rib fractures.’
Despite efforts to save her, Omra’s condition worsened, and life support was removed on February 9, 2024, after permission was granted by the High Court. A post-mortem confirmed that the child’s death was caused by head injuries resulting from violent shaking.
The prosecution claims that Naim’s actions were a deliberate assault, with the shaking causing severe acceleration and deceleration of Omra’s head, leading to the fatal injuries.
Naim, who denies the charges, claims she did not assault her daughter and did not intend to cause her harm. She has pleaded not guilty to murder.
The trial continues.