AMANDA HUTTON'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN BRADFORD: MOTHER ALLOWS SON TO STARVE TO DEATH AND HIDES HIS MUMMIFIED BODY

In October 2013, a tragic and disturbing case unfolded in Bradford, where Amanda Hutton, a mother of eight, was convicted of the manslaughter of her four-year-old son, Hamzah Khan. The court heard that Hutton, who struggled with alcoholism, had allowed her young son to die from severe malnutrition in December 2009, and subsequently concealed his death for nearly two years. Her failure to provide basic care and her deliberate efforts to hide the truth resulted in a lengthy prison sentence of 15 years.

Hamzah's remains, which had become mummified and infested with insects, were discovered in September 2011 at the family home in Bradford. The discovery was made after a police community support officer, inexperienced in such cases, became concerned about the welfare of the children living at the address. The officer was investigating reports of soiled nappies being discarded in a neighbor’s garden when she noticed signs of neglect and the overwhelming stench emanating from the house. Upon entering, officers found the house in a deplorable state, with ankle-deep rubbish, rotting food, and numerous vodka bottles scattered throughout.

Hamzah's body was found in Hutton’s bedroom, and it was revealed that he had been so malnourished that he was wearing a babygrow meant for a baby no older than nine months. The boy’s body was in such a state that it was described as mummified, with the remains being mouldy and crawling with insects. The court was told that Hamzah had died in December 2009, but his body was not discovered until nearly two years later, when police finally uncovered the grim scene.

At the time of his death, Hamzah was just four and a half years old, yet he was severely underweight and appeared to be a baby. The other children in the household, aged between five and 13, were also found to be suffering from neglect, with signs of malnutrition, head lice, and fungal infections. Some of the children were still wearing nappies despite their ages, and they were observed crawling upstairs rather than walking normally. The household conditions were appalling, with the kitchen area filled with rotting food and empty vodka bottles, reflecting a neglectful environment.

Despite these alarming conditions, Bradford City Council stated that none of the children were on an 'at risk' register or under a child protection plan at the time of Hamzah’s death. A serious case review into the circumstances surrounding Hamzah’s death was initiated, involving social services, education authorities, and the police, to assess whether any opportunities for intervention had been missed. However, the review was not yet published, pending the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings.

Hutton’s history of neglect was compounded by her refusal to accept help from social services and health professionals. She was described as a