Mum accused of murdering daughter 'wanted a boy', court hears

A mother accused of murdering her 14-month-old daughter wanted a son, a court has been told.

Shagufta Yasmin, 45, told the High Court in Glasgow that 28-year-old Sadia Ahmed "cried a lot" when she discovered she was expecting a girl and spoke about having an abortion.

Mrs Yasmin was giving evidence at the trial of Ahmed who denies murdering her daughter Inaya at the family home at 47 Bernisadale Drive, Drumchapel on April 17, 2016.

Inaya was pronounced dead at the Royal Hospital for Children on April 20, 2016.

Mrs Yasmin, who was Inaya's aunt, told prosecutor Paul Kearney: "When Sadia discovered she was going to have a daughter she wasn't happy. She cried a lot. She used to say she wanted a son, not a daughter.

"She said she wanted an abortion. We said 'have faith in God' and he might give her a son next time.

"We said if you wish to have an abortion that's your decision. But we're happy with whatever it is."

Mrs Yasmin claimed that the day that Inaya died she spoke to Ahmed in her bedroom after they had returned from the hospital.

She said: “I asked Sadia tell me how you killed Inaya. Initially she said; 'It is between me and Allah.'”

The witness then added: “She didn't tell me how she did it.”

Mrs Yasmin told Mr Kearney that Ahmed said that she had put her legs over Inay's to stop her thrashing about and kicking her legs.

Mr Kearney then asked: “Do you remember your emotions when she was telling you this,” and she replied: “I said 'Do you not feel any mercy for her' and Sadia smiled.”

She said that she did not tell anyone about the conversation and added: “I became fearful of her I couldn't believe a mother could do something like this.”

The jury was told that on May 4, 2016, Mrs Yasmin confessed to police that she had killed Inaya, but placing a pillow over her face.

Mr Kearney asked: “Why did you do this,” and Mrs Yasmin replied: “I thought they would release Inaya's body. I just wanted justice for Inaya and her body back.”

Mrs Yasmin was then asked: “Why did you not tell the police it was Sadia that killed Inaya,” and she replied: “Because at that time I didn't understand what to say or what not to say because I was scared.”

Earlier, consultant anaesthetist Dr Jocelyn Erskine told of how she and a team of medics battled to save Inaya who arrived at the hospital with no heartbeat and no pulse.

Dr Erskine, who gave her evidence via a video link from Melbourne, Australia, said: “The prognosis was very poor.'

She said she spoke to Ahmed on April 20, 2016 and explained to her that Inaya was doing to die because she had irreversible brain damage.

Mr Kearney said: “Was she very distressed and tearful at that time,” and Dr Erskine relied: 'She was .”

The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.