Mum alleged to have ‘shaken’ baby girl resulting in fatal head injuries, murder trial hears

Morsal Mohammed Naim, 31, denies murder

A mother is alleged to have ‘shaken’ her baby girl resulting in fatal head injuries, prosecutors allege.

Morsal Mohammed Naim, 31, is charged with the murder of two-year-old Omra Wali Jan and is on trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Jurors were told that Omra sadly died on February 9, 2024, as a result of head injuries she sustained on November 30, 2023.

The court heard that the tot was born in Afghanistan where she was raised by her father’s family, until she came to live in the North West in September 2023. She lived with her parents, Ms Naim and Firooz Wali Jan in Levenshulme, it was said.

“During that time Omra suffered very serious physical abuse and I can inform you that both of her parents have pleaded guilty to a charge of child cruelty which specifically relates to the deliberate infliction of burning injuries to Omra’s hand, neck and upper left arm,” said prosecutor John Elvidge KC.

“Ms Naim is also charged with murder because the prosecution alleges that she is responsible for the head injuries which caused Omra to die. These were severe traumatic head injuries and they were inflicted when her mother shook Omra so severely that her head was shaken, rapidly, backwards and forwards so as to cause catastrophic brain injuries.”

Jurors were told that just before 6.40pm on November 20, 2023, emergency services were called to the home by a relative who reported that Omra had ‘choked’ and ‘was not breathing’.

When paramedics were able to enter, they discovered the child was unconscious and in a state of cardiac arrest, it was said. Ms Naim was present and assisted by a neighbour who provided interpretation, whilst Mr Wali Jan was at work.

Omra was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after being given adrenalin and resuscitation to restore her heartbeat, the prosecutor said.

“On visual examination the paramedics who responded to the emergency call and the doctors who received Omra at hospital noted that she had a number of bruises and marks to her head and body. The medical staff took photographs. The marks included distinctive patterned scars on her right hand, neck and upper left arm,” said Mr Elvidge KC.

“Subsequently, that same evening, a CT scan revealed that Omra had suffered a devastating brain injury involving multifocal subdural haemorrhage, extensive hypoxic brain injury, and multiple retinal haemorrhages in the right eye.

“The CT scan also showed that Omra had a healing rib fracture and an MRI scan suggested three more acute rib fractures.”

The child was intubated and ventilated, but sadly life support was removed with the permission of the High Court on February 9 last year, the court heard.

A post mortem report concluded that Omra died as a result of head injuries.

The prosecution allege that these devastating and ultimately fatal injuries were

inflicted in a deliberate assault which involved extremely forceful shaking,

causing severe acceleration and deceleration of Omra’s head,” the prosecutor continued.

The court was told that Ms Naim denies any assault on the child or that she intended to cause her really serious harm.

Ms Naim, of no fixed abode, denies murder.

The trial, which is estimated to last a number of weeks, continues.