Mother convicted of killing daughter gets stiffer sentence
Woman also found guilty of attempted murder of second child
Dubai: A mother faces 15 years in jail for the premeditated murder of her daughter and attempted murder of her youngest daughter after the Dubai Appeals Court increased her 10-year primary verdict on Sunday.
The Dubai Appeals Court increased the 24-year-old Indian mother, H.A.'s punishment from 10 to 15 years in jail after the judge confirmed her guilt in intentionally killing her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Nashua K. and trying to murder her 22-month-old daughter, Najiya K. Prosecutors said the mother used a 40-centimetre-long kitchen knife with which she also attempted suicide.
The Public Prosecution appealed the primary verdict asking the Appeals Court to give a harsher judgment. Meanwhile, the mother sought to reduce her punishment before the Appeals Court. She pleaded not guilty.
Paramedics' swift intervention helped save the life of the 22-month-old girl after she was rushed to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.
The psychological experts committee which examined H.A. concluded that she didn't suffer any mental disorder and that she was responsible for her actions.
The court-assigned advocate, who defended H.A., argued that his client was under pressure and asked for leniency.
Prosecutors charged H.A., with throwing Nashua over the bed and repeatedly stabbing her in the back. She was also accused of trying to kill Najiya.
Doctors managed to save the 22-month-old daughter who sustained 35 per cent permanent disability.
