Northern Ireland

Woman in custody charged with daughter's murder, due to give birth

Abdul Wahab launched a bail application in the High Court
Abdul Wahab launched a bail application in the High Court Abdul Wahab launched a bail application in the High Court

A WOMAN in custody charged with murdering her five-year old daughter is due to give birth to her third child next month.

These details emerged today in Belfast's High Court, where her husband Abdul Wahab launched a bail application.

Abdul Wahab (32) and his wife 26-year old wife Aleksandra Wahab are in custody following the death of Mrs Wahab's five-year old daughter.

Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died in her Fernagh Drive home in Newtownabbey on December 15 last year after she sustained a fractured skull and injuries to her brain and liver.

The Crown has made the case that as well as sustaining these injuries, she also suffered historic injuries including fractured ribs.

Both her mother - who is originally from Poland - and her Pakistani-born stepfather have denied murder and claim the youngster fell down the stairs in the middle of the night. They also deny charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

Abdul Wahab launched an application for bail, and after submissions were made by both the defence and the Crown, Mr Justice Horner said he wanted to take time to consider all aspects and would give his ruling on Friday.

Prior to this, a prosecuting QC told Mr Justice Horner that the Crown was opposing Wahab's release.

The bail application was made by defence barrister Patrick Lyttle QC.

Denying his client had harmed his stepdaughter, Mr Lyttle said the Wahab family has been "torn asunder", that their three-year old son is now in care and his wife, who is also in custody, is due to give birth next month.

Mr Lyttle said the family were so settled that Nadia attended a local primary school, where teachers described her as a happy, well cared-for child. He said that after meeting Mr and Mrs Wahab several times, there were no concerns raised by teachers about her parents.

Urging Mr Justice Horner to grant Wahab bail, Mr Lyttle said his client is "languishing in prison" where he may remain for years due to the delay in court proceedings as a result of Covid-19.

Crown barrister David McDowell QC spoke of the gravity of the charge and the severity of the injuries the youngster sustained.

He raised the level of family care regarding Nadia and said her teeth were in an "appalling state", there was no record of her having visited a doctor or dentist in Northern Ireland and there were no female toys present in the house where she died.

Mr McDowell also spoke of historic injuries including fractures to her ribs which he said were relevant to the Crown's case.