Mother of boy, 3, who was fasted to death detained indefinitely

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2023

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A mother has been detained under the Mental Health Act, having been found not guilty of her three-year-old son’s manslaughter and neglect by reason of insanity.

Olabisi Abubakar, 42, from Cardiff was detained indefinitely under the 1983 Mental Health Act on Tuesday due to her being deemed a risk to the public.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Abubakar fasted her son Taiwo to death during the COVID-19 lockdown, believing it would save the nation from the virus.

She was found thin and severely dehydrated in June 2020 next to the body of her son in their flat in the Cathays area of the city.

Police forced entry into the property on 29 June and by that time they had been fasting for about three to four months, the court heard.

A post-mortem found Taiwo, who had been dead for some time, weighed 22lb and had died from malnutrition and dehydration.

Abubakar, who came to the UK as an asylum seeker from Nigeria in 2011, had been suffering with paranoid delusions.

As a devout Pentecostal Christian she had fasted for many years. She had placed herself and her son on an extended fast in the hope God would grant protection to the country from the virus.

The judge, Mrs Justice Jefford, described the case as “extremely sad”.

She said that as well as fears around the pandemic, an ongoing dispute with a neighbour, financial concerns and concerns over her immigration status had contributed to Abubakar’s psychological condition.

Mrs Justice Jefford was addressing Abubakar who appeared via video link from a psychiatric facility.

“The jury found you not guilty of all these charges by reason of insanity,” the judge said.

“That reflects the fact that at the time, you had a serious mental illness, paranoid schizophrenia and, as a result, you did not know what you were doing.

“What happened to you and your children is extremely sad, and the result of that illness.

“You had been a good and caring mother and your children were happy, loved and well cared for,” the judge added.

UK

Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Published

30 mins ago

July 28, 2025

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.

Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.

A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.

A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.

“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”

UK

Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at ‘very special’ Downing Street reception

Published

2 hours ago

July 28, 2025

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at 'very special' Downing Street reception

The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.

The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.

Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.

“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”

Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.

“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.

Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.

In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”

“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.

“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”

As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.

The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.

The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.