The older brother of an 11-year-old girl “killed” her with a punch to the head, an inquest heard.
Suhail Mohammed told his girlfriend in text messages that he had “killed” his sister, Falaq Babar, after she was “screaming her head off” in the bathroom of their family home.
Mr Mohammed said the incident happened in “the heat of the moment”, adding: “I didn’t know it’s gonna knock her out.”
In messages sent about the time an ambulance was called, Mr Mohammed wrote to his girlfriend: “I’ve killed Falaq.”
His partner at the time asked what he meant and he responded: “I’ve punched her on the head.”
He then explained Falaq was going to hospital because she was “unconscious” and “being sick”.
When asked why he had hit the 11-year-old, Mr Mohammed replied: “[She was] screaming her head off? I didn’t know it’s gonna knock her out. It was the heat of the moment.”
CPS ruled there was no case
Falaq died in hospital almost a month later on March 18, 2022.
An inquest into the child’s death resumed on Tuesday after Greater Manchester Police applied to halt proceedings while it investigated potential new evidence.
However, the force confirmed no further action was being taken after a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Det Chief Insp Stuart Round said an investigation was initially launched into a suspected assault and Mr Mohammed was arrested. However, the CPS ruled there was no case.
Mr Mohammed was re-interviewed in relation to the texts but answered “no comment”, Det Chief Insp Round said.
Mr Mohammed’s partner at the time, Sahar Fiaz, also refused to give a statement, but said the messages “did not mean anything”, Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard.
Interpreters drafted in
Giving evidence last November, Mr Mohammed claimed he heard “bickering” with a younger brother who wanted to enter the bathroom while Falaq was inside on Feb 20 2022.
He claimed to have used “quite a bit of force” to open the bathroom door, describing his actions as “barging” it with his shoulder and elbow. He also suggested the door would often stick.
Mr Mohammed said he then found Falaq on the floor near the radiator.
The inquest heard that four interpreters were drafted in by police to analyse voices heard in the background of the 999 call.
One male voice, believed to be Mr Mohammed, was heard to say “we pray to God and we do not make a big deal as it is early in the morning”, the inquest was told. A female voice says “who hit her?” and another says “don’t know”, it was said.
Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said three of the four interpreters referenced hearing the words “hit with a punch” and “who has hit her?”. Det Chief Insp Round agreed with Ms Kearsley about the interpretation. He said Mr Mohammed was questioned over his alleged comment apparently heard in the background of the 999 call, but “did not explain what he meant”.
‘Unknown, underlying’ brain condition
The inquest, which resumed this week, heard two of Falaq’s siblings were apparently also in the bathroom with Falaq at the time of the incident.
Despite them witnessing events, Det Chief Insp Round, who led an investigation, said parental consent to interview them was not given.
Ms Kearsley said medical evidence due to be heard this week may adduce Falaq had an “unknown, underlying” brain condition.
Mr Mohammed gave a prepared statement, saying that his sister was helping shower the two younger siblings when the bathroom door became stuck.
Det Chief Insp Round said Mr Mohammed said Falaq was pulling the door from the inside and he was pushing from the outside.
The court heard Mr Mohammed said Falaq fell backwards. He then carried her downstairs and made the 999 call.
The inquest, which started on Tuesday, is scheduled to last four days.
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