Omra Wali Jan, a little girl who arrived in a new country seeking a fresh start, died in a hospital bed on February 9, 2024. Her fragile life was extinguished by injuries no child should ever endure – injuries inflicted through deliberate, brutal acts.
The court heard how Omra, born in Afghanistan and raised by her father’s family, came to live with her parents, Morsal Mohammed Naim and Firooz Wali Jan, in September 2023. Their flat, described as cramped and substandard, became the site of unimaginable suffering for the innocent child.
Naim, isolating himself within the confines of their home, refused to leave Wali Jan alone with Omra. This isolation masked a horrifying reality: a pattern of abuse unfolding over weeks, a silent torment hidden behind closed doors.
Evidence recovered from Naim’s phone painted a chilling picture. Images and videos revealed burn marks on Omra’s tiny hand, a bruised cheek, and a damaged lip – stark evidence of the violence she endured. The details, though fragmented, spoke volumes about the cruelty inflicted upon her.
On November 30th, the nightmare escalated. Wali Jan went to work, leaving Omra in Naim’s care. A flurry of deleted phone calls to family in Afghanistan, and a hastily deleted audio message, hinted at a desperate attempt to conceal the unfolding tragedy.
Naim’s frantic calls to relatives, ultimately reaching a distant acquaintance, preceded a shocking scene. She carried Omra, limp and unresponsive, to a neighbor, falsely claiming the child had choked on a biscuit. The initial response from paramedics was disbelief – a suspected hoax call.
But the neighbor’s intervention allowed medics to briefly revive Omra. What they found was deeply disturbing: bruises and marks covering her small body, a silent testament to the abuse she had suffered. She was immediately rushed to the hospital.
A CT scan revealed the devastating extent of her injuries – severe brain damage, extensive oxygen deprivation, and bleeding in her eyes. Despite the desperate efforts of medical staff, Omra remained on life support, her fate hanging in the balance.
With the permission of the High Court, life support was withdrawn. A post-mortem confirmed the unthinkable: Omra died as a result of head injuries, deliberately inflicted within the supposed safety of her home. The injuries weren’t accidental; they were the result of calculated violence, causing excruciating pain with each blow.
The judge, witnessing the horrific details of the case, condemned the parents’ actions as “sadistic.” He expressed frustration at Naim’s lack of remorse or explanation, questioning why she attacked her daughter and what form the abuse took. Naim was sentenced to nine years in prison for manslaughter, while Wali Jan received six years and nine months for child cruelty.
Police released images of Omra taken when she was in the care of others – a happy, smiling child, a heartbreaking contrast to the suffering she ultimately endured. These images serve as a poignant reminder of the innocent life stolen, and the devastating consequences of unimaginable cruelty.
