Hove mother who gave son non-prescribed medication sentenced

Pembe Mehmetaliogullari has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months

A woman who gave her disabled son non-prescribed medication has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Pembe Mehmetaliogullari, 48, gave her son, Mustafa, Citalopram, an antidepressant, between 1 and 27 September 2018.

Mustafa died later that month.

In May Mehmetaliogullari, of Hove, was cleared of attempted murder but was convicted for administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

She was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Brighton Crown Court on Thursday.

Mustafa had complex mental and physical disabilities and was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton for treatment, Sussex Police said.

A police spokesman said he died on 30 September, three days after he had been admitted to hospital.

A post-mortem exam found a non-prescribed medication present in his system.

However, the cause of death was not confirmed and could not be attributed to the drug, police said.

After the case, detective sergeant Barry Chandler, from the East Sussex Safeguarding Unit, said: "This is a tragic case and our thoughts remain with Mustafa's family and friends at this difficult time."

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