Boy's body embalmed in 'reincarnation ritual'

Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah are accused of allowing or causing the death of their three-year-old son, Abiyah

The parents of a boy whose body was found in a garden in Birmingham believed he would be reincarnated if they followed a burial ritual, a court has heard.

Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, aged 42 and 43, are accused of causing or allowing the death of their three-year-old son, Abiyah Yasharahyalah.

He was discovered by police buried behind their home in Handsworth, Birmingham, in December 2022.

Giving evidence during a trial at Coventry Crown Court, Mr Yasharahyalah said the couple were trying to "preserve Abiyah's soul" while carrying out the ritual.

The father, who was born in London, but spent much of his childhood in Nigeria, told the court that Abiyah died after the family had all become sick in January 2019.

Abiyah asked to sleep on Mr Yasharahyalah as the whole family rested on a bed in their Birmingham home, the court heard.

Mr Yasharahyalah said he later awoke to find his son lifeless on his chest.

He carried out CPR for a short time before realising "his physical form had gone".

Abiyah is believed to have been buried in the garden from January 2020 to December 2022

The 42-year-old told the court in his Igbo culture - the customs of a group living in southeastern Nigeria - it is believed every person has a physical and spiritual form, the latter of which can be saved so a person can be reincarnated.

Mr Yasharahyalah said the couple did not call the emergency services because strangers can scare off spirits.

The couple lit a paraffin lamp in the room near to Abiyah as a beacon in case his spirit wished to return to his body.

Police found Abiyah's body after his existence was uncovered during investigations into other matters

Jurors heard that after an eight-day period, which allowed for the spirit to find the body, Abiyah's body was embalmed using frankincense and myrrh.

He was then buried in their back garden in ground which had been "blessed" by Mr Yasharahyalah.

When asked if he had buried the body to hide it from the authorities, the defendant said it was "not the case at all".

Earlier in the trial, medical experts had told the court that examinations of the boy's body found he was malnourished, had rickets, anaemia, bone abnormalities and fractures to one leg, one arm and a number of ribs.

When asked if he had seen any signs of Abiyah being unwell before his death, Mr Yasharahyalah said "not at all".

Mr and Mrs Yasharahyalah deny causing or allowing the death of a child, neglect and perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.