Brent mother accused of causing child's death says GP said she ‘looked fine’

Fartun Jamal, 25, from Kingfisher Way, Brent Park, is accused of causing the death of her 11-month-old daughter Nafahat through neglect, and of cruelty towards another child.

Harrow Crown Court had previously heard that Nafahat died from a chest infection on March 13, 2019, and that her death could have been prevented had her mother sought adequate medical aid in the weeks leading up to her death.

On Friday, Jamal said she had spoken to a GP on February 26, in which she expressed concerns about her daughter.

Harrow Crown Court

She told the jury: “I had told the doctor I was worried about Nafahat, that she had a very high temperature, a poor appetite and that I believed she may have a cold.

“But the doctor told me she looks fine and if it gets worse give her some Calpol and that was it.”

Jamal told the court she was “quite sure” this is what had been said by the GP.

Nafahat was ill from at least March 4, and her condition worsened before she died more than a week later.

The jury also heard about Jamal’s living conditions in the lead-up to Nafahat’s death, which had been described as “disgusting”.

Jamal told the jury she had been “depressed” and “anxious” due to being a parent with little support.

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She told the court the conditions and bad smell were due to ceiling leaks and damp in the walls which “ruined” her belongings.

The defendant stated she was “conscious” there was a smell of damp or mould.

The jury was also previously told that Jamal is said to have made a series of internet searches relating to giving up her child - including “I want to give up my child” and “I can’t cope with my child anymore”.

Asked about her feelings towards her daughter, Jamal said: “I instantly fell in love with her the moment I got hold of her.

“She was a beautiful child, she was so calm.”

Jamal said she “needed a break” from parenting because life was “getting on top” of her.

Jamal is charged with one count of causing death by neglect, two counts of child cruelty in relation to Nafahat, and a third count of child cruelty in relation to another child.