SAMIYA AND YASIN VALLI FROM LEICESTER AND SARA TEMPAH JAILED OVER BRUTAL INJURIES TO BABY GIRL

In August 2017, a tragic case unfolded in Leicester involving a four-month-old baby girl who suffered injuries so severe that they were compared to the aftermath of a high-speed collision. The incident drew significant attention from the local community and law enforcement, culminating in the conviction of her mother, Samiya, and her ex-partner, Yasin Valli, for child cruelty and allowing the child to endure serious harm.

According to court proceedings, Samiya, aged 25 and formerly residing on Sanvey Gate, along with 26-year-old Yasin Valli of Nansen Road, North Evington, both blamed each other for the catastrophic injuries inflicted upon the infant. Despite their mutual accusations, both were found guilty of child cruelty by a jury in June, with verdicts of 10-2 majority. The court heard that the baby girl had sustained brain damage, a fractured leg, hemorrhages in both eyes, and extensive bruising. These injuries were so severe that medical experts described them as resulting from forceful shaking, akin to being involved in a high-speed crash or falling from a second-story window.

Disturbingly, the couple delayed seeking urgent medical attention for the child for two days. Despite a neighbor’s advice urging immediate hospital treatment, Samiya and Yasin Valli chose to wait, during which time the child's condition worsened. When they finally took her to the hospital, they attempted to dismiss the injuries as accidental, claiming she had bumped her nose or was injured in an overturned pushchair. The court was told that the couple refused to provide clear explanations, with Samiya and Valli blaming each other for the injuries, leaving the true cause of the harm uncertain.

Judge Ebraham Mooncey emphasized the silence and lack of accountability from both defendants, stating, “There’s silence between the defendants about what actually happened.” The judge also highlighted that the injuries were consistent with forceful shaking, which can cause severe internal and external trauma. The couple’s failure to act promptly was a critical factor in their sentencing.

Following their conviction, Samiya was sentenced to five years in prison. It was revealed that she had already lost custody of all four of her children, each from different fathers, following the incident in September 2014. Yasin Valli, who was in a three-month open relationship with Samiya at the time of the injury, received a six-year sentence. Although he was living with Samiya during the incident, he was not the biological father of any of her children.

The judge acknowledged the culpability of both individuals, stating, “Both defendants are culpable and they should have taken her to hospital sooner, on the morning their neighbour gave an opinion.” The neighbor, who provided crucial evidence during the trial, was praised for their involvement in advocating for the child's well-being.

Since the incident, the child's condition has shown signs of gradual improvement. A social worker, Eva Sitaram-Booth, reported that the girl is now in foster care, receiving specialist support and making steady progress. She exhibits global and developmental delays, with limited speech, but remains a sociable and happy child who interacts with peers at nursery school. The child continues to undergo treatment for her right leg, epilepsy, and other health issues.

During her testimony, Samiya claimed she was unaware of the full extent of her baby’s injuries, initially believing she was suffering from a minor illness or “a bug.” Yasin Valli, on the other hand, stated that the injuries resulted from an accidental bump when he tripped, admitting he had no idea how the brain injuries occurred. The case has left the Leicester community deeply concerned about child safety and the importance of prompt medical intervention in cases of suspected abuse.