Mother sentenced to indefinite hospital order for manslaughter of daughter 

30/09/2011

A mother killed her daughter believing she had been possessed by a spirit, the Central Criminal Court has heard. 

Shayma Ali, 36, from East London today (September 30, 2011) pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.

In the two weeks before the incident, the defendant developed an interest in possession and claimed that members of the family, and their flat itself, were subject to possession by a 'Jinn'. Jinn are believed to be beings that live around humans unseen.

The court heard that on 16 December 2010 she stabbed her daughter to death attempting to exorcise a Jinn. Her daughter died from multiple stab wounds. The court heard that Ali had been suffering from a mental illness and following her arrest she was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Head of CPS London's Homicide Unit, Gary Dolby, said: "Family members and police officers encountered appalling scenes when they entered the house. This is clearly a very sad case and our thoughts go to the family at this difficult time."