A man who pleaded guilty to the murder of his five-year-old stepdaughter has been denied a change of lawyers and a postponement of sentencing in the case.
At a hearing at Belfast Crown Court, it emerged that Abdul Wahab (35) wants to change his legal representation for the third time, reports Breaking News.
Nadia Zofia Kalinowska, 5, died after being found with multiple injuries at her family’s home on Fernagh Drive, Newtownabbey in December 2019.
Nadia’s mother Aleksandra Wahab, 29, and stepfather Abdul Wahab, both from Fernagh Drive, were originally charged with the murder.
Earlier this year, Mr. Wahab pleaded guilty to Nadia’s murder and two counts of aggravated aggravated assault, reports Breaking News.
Ms. Wahab pleaded guilty to charges of allowing the child to die and suffer grievous bodily harm.
Prosecutor Liam McCollum opened the sentencing hearing by describing the extent of Nadia’s injuries over several months.
At the time of her death, Nadia had multiple broken and re-broken ribs, multiple broken collarbones, a fractured skull, as well as severe abdominal injuries.
Mr McCollum said that because of Nadia’s injuries, “moving, breathing and laughing would cause considerable pain and such injuries would be obvious” to an alert and caring parent, reports Breaking News.
He added: “When people suffer an accident such as breaking collarbones, particularly children, the parents know about it, the parents do something about it,” reports Breaking News.
Mr. Wahab, who was sitting on the dock with his head down, then had the opportunity to address Judge O’Hara.
He asked the judge to take four weeks to find a new legal team, with both prosecutors and defense attorneys saying he now wanted to change his murder plea.
He said: “My life was full of happiness with her, we were like two best friends. She was always smiling, she was always laughing, she was the best child,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Wahab appeared to cry as he said: “Since I have lost her I lost a piece of me, I just don’t feel the same, I really loved her. She always loved me, she always called me papa, my dear papa,” reports Breaking News.
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