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Captive girl 'starved to death' Girl 'died after being starved'
(30 minutes later)
A seven-year-old girl was starved to death while being kept prisoner in her home by her mother and her partner, a court has heard. A seven-year-old girl kept prisoner by her mother and her partner died after being starved for weeks or months, a court has heard.
Khyra Ishaq was possibly starved for months and died of an infection, Birmingham Crown Court was told. Khyra Ishaq was eventually taken to hospital but died of an infection, Birmingham Crown Court was told.
Jurors heard doctors had rarely seen as severe a case of starvation in the UK. Jurors heard UK doctors had rarely seen such a severe case of starvation.
Khyra's mother Angela Gordon, 34, and Junaid Abuhamza, 30, both of Leyton Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, deny murdering Khyra on 17 May last year.Khyra's mother Angela Gordon, 34, and Junaid Abuhamza, 30, both of Leyton Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, deny murdering Khyra on 17 May last year.
Prosecutor Timothy Raggatt, QC, said Khyra had been starved to a point that was almost unique in the experience of British medical staff. Prosecutor Timothy Raggatt, QC, told jurors: "It's highly likely that you will find some of what you will hear distressing and disturbing. Khyra's mistreatment was calculated and deliberate.
It's just as much murder... as if they had shot, stabbed, beaten or strangled Khyra to death Timothy Raggatt QC, prosecutingIt's just as much murder... as if they had shot, stabbed, beaten or strangled Khyra to death Timothy Raggatt QC, prosecuting
He told jurors: "It's highly likely that you will find some of what you will hear distressing and disturbing.
"The actual means or process which resulted in [Khyra's death] was brought about by a series of actions that were in effect the deliberate and calculated starvation of that little girl over a period, certainly of weeks, and very possibly months.""The actual means or process which resulted in [Khyra's death] was brought about by a series of actions that were in effect the deliberate and calculated starvation of that little girl over a period, certainly of weeks, and very possibly months."
Mr Raggatt told the jury they would need to remain dispassionate and added: "The cruelty and maltreatment of that little girl, you may well come to think, was both ultimately calculated and obviously deliberate."
He said the pair had still murdered Khyra even though she died from an infection because they had intended to cause her really serious harm.He said the pair had still murdered Khyra even though she died from an infection because they had intended to cause her really serious harm.
He added: "It's just as much murder... as if they had shot, stabbed, beaten or strangled Khyra to death."He added: "It's just as much murder... as if they had shot, stabbed, beaten or strangled Khyra to death."
He said Ms Gordon and Mr Abuhamza had betrayed their duty of care for Khyra and five other children.He said Ms Gordon and Mr Abuhamza had betrayed their duty of care for Khyra and five other children.
Mr Abuhamza has admitted five counts of child cruelty while Ms Gordon denies five counts of child cruelty between December 2007 and May 17, 2008.Mr Abuhamza has admitted five counts of child cruelty while Ms Gordon denies five counts of child cruelty between December 2007 and May 17, 2008.