Father who killed newborn son gets hospital order

Mohammed, who was found guilty of manslaughter last month, had woken in the middle of the night and killed his three-week-old son

A man who killed his three-week-old baby while suffering from the onset of a severe psychotic illness has been given a hospital order.

Kadees Mohammed, from Birmingham, was found guilty of manslaughter last month, after his son Ibrahim suffered fatal head injuries on 18 October 2022.

The 31-year-old, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia, woke in the middle of the night and killed Ibrahim, and attacked his wife and mother as they tried to stop him, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Passing sentence on Mohammed, of Dovey Road, Mr Justice Choudhury said the defendant's mental state at the time was a precursor to a severe illness, adding: "The tragedy is that your condition was undiagnosed until it was too late."

In the weeks before the attack, the jury heard Mohammed had become fixed on the idea he may have ADHD and might also have been struggling with his sexuality.

A day before the attack, he had gone to a mosque and had started exhibiting delusional behaviour.

During the attack, Ibrahim suffered multiple skull fractures

He had claimed he was unclean, that he had seen the Prophet Muhammad, that he was the "vessel of God" and the family's food was poisoned, the court heard.

During the attack, Ibrahim suffered multiple fractures to his skull, in which post-mortem examinations revealed every bone was broken.

Mohammed was later convicted by the jury of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and two counts of wounding.

Ordering the defendant to be detained at a secure mental health facility, Mr Justice Chowdhury said Mohammed had been "by all accounts a kind and loving man".

He said he had doted on his family before he suffered a "complete aberration".

'You will remain in my memories'

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard Mohammed, who had worked at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, had been a "model patient" at the West Midlands secure facility where he has been detained.

Mohammed, who appeared via video link, appeared to listen intently to the sentencing proceedings.

After Mohammed was convicted last month, Ibrahim's mother issued a statement through West Midlands Police, paying tribute to her "beautiful" son.

"My love for you is eternal. I know that you are no longer with me but your precious belongings are so dear to me," she said.

"I imagine how life would have been with you by my side. I would have watched you grow, laughed with you and wiped your tears.

"You will remain in my memories for the rest of my life like a beautiful flower. Love from your mum."