SARA EGE FROM CARDIFF PONTCANNAN MURDERS YASEEN IN BRUTAL KORAN LEARNING TRAGEDY

In a heartbreaking case that has shocked the community of Cardiff, particularly the Pontcanna area, Sara Ege, aged 32, has been convicted of the murder of her seven-year-old son, Yaseen. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse and violence inflicted upon the young boy in the months leading up to his death, culminating in a tragic fire that initially appeared to be an accident but was later uncovered as a cover-up for the brutal injuries he had sustained.

Yaseen, described by those who knew him as a lively and cheerful child, was subjected to severe physical punishment by his mother, Sara Ege. Court evidence detailed how she used various objects, including a stick, a hammer, a rolling pin, and a slipper, to beat her son. Witnesses testified that the beatings were so intense that Yaseen was likened to a dog, and the injuries he sustained were non-accidental, including fractured ribs, a broken arm, and a fractured finger. The prosecution argued that these injuries caused his death, which was not due to the fire that later engulfed their home in Pontcanna, Cardiff.

Initially, the authorities believed Yaseen had died in a tragic house fire. However, post-mortem examinations revealed that he had been dead before the blaze started. Pathologists found evidence of significant internal injuries, and the presence of barbecue lighter fuel on Ege’s clothing raised suspicions. The fire was later determined to be an attempt by Sara Ege to destroy evidence of her abuse and the injuries that led to her son’s death.

During police interviews, Sara Ege admitted to her frustrations over Yaseen’s inability to learn passages from the Koran. She explained that she was trying to teach him the holy book, but he was not progressing as she expected. She expressed her anger, stating, “I was getting more and more frustrated, if he didn’t read it properly I would be very angry – I would hit him.” She also revealed her goal of having Yaseen memorize 35 pages of the Koran within three months, promising him a new bike if he succeeded. Despite her efforts, Yaseen only managed to learn a single chapter after a year of practice.

Yaseen’s parents, Sara Ege and her husband Yousef, 38, had enrolled him in advanced classes at their local mosque, aiming for him to become a Hafiz, a person who memorizes the entire Koran. Ege explained to the court that achieving this would bring honor to their family and elevate their standing within the community. However, Yaseen, described as mischievous and playful, struggled to keep up with the rigorous demands, which only increased Ege’s frustration.

Court testimonies detailed how Ege’s anger escalated, leading her to physically assault her son repeatedly. She admitted to hitting Yaseen with a stick, a hammer, a rolling pin, and a slipper, and also to punching him multiple times. Her mental state appeared to deteriorate as she claimed to have been influenced by “Shaitan,” the Islamic term for the devil, telling her to commit these acts. She told her general practitioner that she felt “100 percent better” after Yaseen’s death, and her notes indicated she experienced voices urging her to harm her son, describing her mental health as unstable during that period.

In July 2010, emergency services responded to a fire at the family’s home in Pontcanna, Cardiff. Firefighters rescued Yaseen from the burning building, attempting to revive him, but he was already deceased. The initial assumption was that the fire was accidental. However, subsequent investigations uncovered multiple injuries on Yaseen’s body, including broken ribs, a fractured arm, and a fractured finger, which indicated he had been subjected to prolonged abuse. The discovery of lighter fuel on Ege’s clothing further implicated her in the attempt to conceal her son’s injuries.

Ege initially denied any involvement in her son’s death and the subsequent burning of his body. She later claimed she burned Yaseen’s remains after panicking upon discovering he had died in the house fire. Her story shifted again when she admitted to physically abusing Yaseen in the months before his death and then setting fire to his body to hide the evidence. Ultimately, she retracted her confessions, alleging that her husband and his family had threatened her if she did not take responsibility for her son’s death.

Yousef Ege, her husband, testified during the five-week trial that he had driven Yaseen to the mosque for his Koran practice and had never seen Sara raise a hand against their son. He described Yaseen as a “happy” boy who had plans for the summer holidays. The court heard that Yousef was unaware of the extent of the abuse and believed his wife was a “perfect mother.”

Following the verdict, Sara Ege was found guilty of murder and perverting the course of justice by burning her son’s body. Her husband was acquitted of any involvement in causing or allowing Yaseen’s death. The jury, after eight hours of deliberation, reached unanimous decisions. As the verdict was announced, Ege broke down in tears, covering her face with her hands, while her husband showed no visible emotion and left the court without incident.

Her parents, who had traveled from Hyderabad, India, sat quietly in the gallery as the court proceedings concluded. Judge Justice Wyn Williams sentenced Sara Ege to life imprisonment, with the exact minimum term to be decided after a medical report is completed in the new year. Ege remains detained at Llanarth Court Hospital in Gwent, South Wales, under medical care.

Outside the court, the legal representatives of the prosecution paid tribute to Yaseen, describing him as “bright and friendly,” and lamenting the loss of such a promising young life. Detective Constable Kim Roche expressed her sorrow, emphasizing Yaseen’s qualities as a “quiet, hardworking, bright, well-behaved, obedient, respectful, polite, and smiley” child. Deborah Rogers, the District Crown Prosecutor, highlighted the tragic nature of the case, reminding the public that Yaseen’s potential was cut short, and that his family and community will forever mourn his loss.