Bradford mum ‘starved tot to death and kept body for two years’

Amanda Hutton, 43, is accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of son Hamzah Khan, whose mummified remains were discovered at a house in Bradford in September 2011, almost two years after his death in December 2009.

Hamzah’s body was found in a babygro which was suitable for a baby aged six to nine months.

The babygro fitted him comfortably, so stunted was his growth, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told a jury that Hutton had failed to provide her child with the nourishment he needed and failed to get him medical help when he was very ill.

“The questions you will no doubt be asking are: why was a child aged four-and-a-half wearing a baby’s clothing and how was it that it fitted?

“The prosecution answer to those questions is straightforward. Hamzah’s growth had been stunted. It had been stunted because he was malnourished over a lengthy period and that state of affairs resulted in his death. In short, he starved to death. How had a child starved to death in 21st century England?

“The prosecution case is quite simple - Amanda Hutton failed to provide her child with the nourishment that he needed to survive and, in so failing, she killed him. That failure was, we suggest, grossly negligent and on that basis she is guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence with which she is charged.”

Mr Greaney said the prosecution expected Hutton’s defence lawyers to ask them to consider whether Hamzah’s malnutrition may have arisen not through being poorly fed but rather through some naturally occurring condition.

The court heard that what police found in the house disturbed even hardened officers.

The house was in squalor when an officer made the “dreadful discovery” of the mummified remains.

Within the cot, beneath other items, police officer Richard Dove found the corpse of a child.

The court heard that prior to Hamzah’s death Hutton had failed to engage with health workers and there was evidence she had abused alcohol and cannabis for many years. However, the prosecution said it appeared that at some stage in the past she had worked as a care assistant.

The father of the child, Aftab Khan, was separated from Hutton and not living with her, the court was told.

The prosecution say that Mr Khan had expressed concerns about his son’s care in March 2009, just months before his death in the December of that year.

Mr Greaney said a paediatrician who visited the house soon after the body was found described seeing a huge amount of rubbish, rotting matter, faeces and empty bottles.

The doctor described the smell as offensive beyond description.

During interview, Hutton told police that on the night of December 14 2009 Hamzah had become particularly unwell.

The following evening she said she had gone to speak to a pharmacist but had been summoned back home because Hamzah was very ill.

She had sought to revive him but to no effect.

Hutton described placing his body into his cot and said she had treated his body with dignity. Hamzah’s body was found with a teddy, said Mr Greaney.

The prosecution say that Hutton made no call for assistance.

Mr Greaney said: “On the contrary, within hours she was ordering a pizza. Moreover, Amanda Hutton after the death of Hamzah continued to claim child benefit in respect of her dead son.”

The court heard that the defendant’s bedroom where Hamzah’s body was found was in a markedly better state than other rooms in the house.

Mr Greaney told the jury that after her arrest Hutton was taken to a police station.

On the journey, news came through of the discovery of the mummified body of Hamzah.

A police constable Harrison asked: “You know what’s been found, don’t you Amanda?”

Hutton answered, following a little more conversation: “He died two years ago on the 15th December.”

Mr Greaney said the discovery of Hamzah’s body was down to the “conscientious and tenacious approach” of a Police Community Support Officer, Jodie Worsley, who had been sent to Hutton’s house after a neighbour complained about litter being thrown into his garden.

PCSO Worsley called at the house several times but there was no answer.

The prosecution say that when Hutton did eventually open the door she was unsteady on her feet, flies were hovering around her and there was a bad smell coming from the house.

Hutton, of Bradford, denies manslaughter. The trial continues.