Birmingham dad who killed baby amid 'unimaginable collapse' in mental health sentenced

A dad who violently killed his three-week-old baby amid a rapid breakdown of his mental health has been sentenced to a hospital order. Kadees Mohammed woke up in the early hours of October 18, in 2022, and caused fatal injuries to his son Ibrahim by 'smashing him up the wall' at his home in Dovey Road, Moseley.

The 31-year-old civil servant also struck his wife and mother in the head with an iron as they fought to stop him. Experts have since concluded that Mohammed was suffering from schizophrenia at the time.

Last month he was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility and two counts of unlawful wounding following a retrial into the case. Today, Monday, at Birmingham Crown Court Justice Akhlaq Choudhury imposed a hospital order subject to special restrictions under the Mental Health Act.

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He said: "This is a tragic case. You are by all accounts a kind and loving man, good husband to your wife, loyal son to your mother and wonderful father."

Justice Choudhury stated there was a history of mental health issues in Mohammed's family, but added: "What no-one could know or predict is the unimaginable collapse of your mental state on October 17 and 18, 2022 that led you to take your own baby and smash him against a wall, thus killing him instantly."

He acknowledged Mohammed overcame a 'troubled childhood' to marry his wife in 2018 and obtain good employment at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He stated 'all seemed well' until 2022 when Mohammed became 'preoccupied' with the idea that he might have Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and his behaviour began to change, with colleagues noticing him being more moody at work.

Justice Choudhury told the court Mohammed's childhood trauma and concerns about his own sexuality began to resurface, adding: "The illness that had lay dormant began to rear its head."

Mohammed was said to be 'delighted' at the birth of Ibrahim on September 27, 2022. But on October 17 that year the deterioration of his mental health 'accelerated rapidly'. He got up and went to the nearby mosque, something he did not usually do at that time,

He also started talking about the anti-Christ and prophet Muhammad as well as repeatedly spoke about death. His family called the emergency services out of concern and paramedics attended that evening.

Mohammed also went to accident and emergency at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but left before he could be seen by the mental health crisis team because of the three-to-four hour wait. He returned home and his wife calmed him down enough for him to go to bed.

But around 3.30am the following morning Mohammed woke up in a 'disturbed psychotic state'. He began shouting religious phrases in a voice that was unrecognisable to his wife, before he picked Ibrahim up and smacked him against the wall. Every bone in the boy's skull was shattered. A pathologist concluded the force used was the most extreme he had ever come across. The attack only came to an end when neighbours who overheard the horrific commotion intervened.

Mohammed has subsequently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has responded well to treatment and shown 'deep remorse' for his actions but will require hospital care for a long time, the court heard. Justice Choudhury said: "The tragedy here is your condition was undiagnosed until it was too late."

The judge concluded any punishment, such as custody, would be inappropriate because Mohammed's level of retained responsibility at the time of the incident was 'low', adding: "The tragedy would not have occurred were it not for your illness."

Balbir Singh KC, defending Mohammed, stated schizophrenia 'overwhelmed him and grossly disordered his mind'. Mohammed will continue to be treated at the Tamarind Centre in Bordesley Green.