Doctor tells murder trial children choking to death was 'uncommon'

Dr Colin Begg, a consultant paediatrician at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, told the court he was one of a team who battled to save Inaya Ahmed.

He was giving evidence at the trial of the tot's mum Sadia Ahmed, who denies murdering her at their Drumchapel home in April last year.

He told the court that at 11.57am on April 17, 2016 her heart beat resumed and she was put on a life support machine, but the prognosis was not good.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney said: “There are two ways the airways can be affected – one is smothering and the other is choking – are the medical effects the same,” and Dr Begg replied: “Yes.'

The consultant said in his 18-year career in paediatrics he had only come across between five and 10 children who choked to death.

He said the only research paper he had seen was compiled by the Department of Trade and Industry which revealed that in 1999 a total of 25 children choked to death in the UK.

Mr Kearney said: “So it is relatively uncommon,” and Dr Egg responded: “Yes.'

Dr Warren Rodrigues, who is also a consultant paediatrician at the Royal Hospital for Children, said he told Inanya's parents Suleman Ahmed and his wife, murder accused, Ahmed that their daughter had irreversible brain damage caused by lack of oxygen. He was with them when the life support machine was switched off on April 20, last year.

Defence QC Ian Duguid asked Dr Rodrigues: “Were both of the parents very upset,” and he replied: “That's correct.”

The QC then said: “The child's mother was so upset that she collapsed on the floor, isn't that right, “ and Dr Rodrigues stated: “I don't recall that.”

Mr Duguid then said: “You thought the mother was in denial because she thought the child was going to live,” and Dr Rodrigues replied: “When Inaya was no more and in Suleman's arms, he seemed to accept what had happened. The mother turned to speak to Suleman in Urdu. She seemed to suggest that she thought Inaya was going to live.

“I had clearly explained to them that their baby's brain was not functioning and she was not going to live.”

The trial continues.