The parents of two-year-old Omra Wali Jan, who tragically died after suffering severe and traumatic brain injuries, have been jailed for their roles in her abuse and death. Morsal Mohammed Naim, 32, the mother, received a nine-year sentence, while the father, Firooz Wali Jan, also 32, was sentenced to six years and nine months. The sentences were handed down at Manchester Crown Court following a two-day sentencing hearing, where the judge highlighted the 'sadistic behaviour' and 'multiple incidents of serious cruelty' in the case.

Omra Wali Jan endured weeks of horrific abuse in 2023, suffering beatings, burns inflicted with a lighter, and bites. Her death on February 9, 2024, resulted from severe traumatic brain injuries caused by 'extremely forceful shaking' by her mother, Naim, the previous November. While the full extent of the abuse and the precise actions of each parent remain unclear, both Naim and Wali Jan admitted child cruelty. Naim, initially accused of murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the third day of her trial.

Prosecuting, John Elvidge KC, emphasized the parents' complicity, stating, "Neither parent was kept in the dark. Both enabled and acquiesced in the forcible and deliberate infliction of severe injuries on Omra by one or both, over a period of time. With each extra attack, this complicity inevitably increased, permitting less and less differentiation of roles." He further stressed that the injuries, likely caused with an implement or by biting, were deliberate and would have caused extreme pain, noting that neither parent reported the injuries, sought medical attention, or provided truthful accounts, instead lying to protect each other.

Omra was born in Afghanistan and initially raised by her father's family. She came to live with her parents in Levenshulme in September 2023, where she struggled to settle in what was described as a 'tightly confined' and 'poor quality' accommodation. Naim reportedly did not leave the flat and would not leave Wali Jan alone with their daughter, further isolating the child within the abusive environment.

Evidence from Naim's phone, including images and videos, revealed some of the injuries Omra sustained, such as burn marks to her right hand, bruising on her cheek, and an injured lip. The critical incident occurred on November 30, 2023, when Wali Jan went to work, leaving Naim with Omra. Phone records showed Naim deleting calls she made to her husband's family in Afghanistan and an audio message before eventually calling a distant relative for help.

Naim then carried an unconscious and non-breathing Omra upstairs to a neighbour, falsely claiming the child had choked on a biscuit. Paramedics, initially thinking it was a hoax call due to no response at the door, eventually revived Omra with the help of a neighbour. Omra was rushed to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where a CT scan confirmed severe brain injuries, including multifocal subdural haemorrhage, extensive hypoxic brain injury, and multiple retinal haemorrhages in her right eye. Life support was removed with High Court permission on February 9, 2024, and a post-mortem concluded she died from head injuries.

During mitigation, Caroline Carberry KC, defending Naim, described her as vulnerable, having no verified date of birth, no schooling, and raised in rural Afghanistan before marrying a man with "limited communication." She argued Naim was under extreme stress and strain, attributing the November 30 episode to a "momentary lapse of control." Adam Watkins, mitigating for Wali Jan, asserted his client had no direct responsibility for his daughter's death, suggesting the "gross mistreatment" stemmed from "parental frustration" as Omra struggled to adjust to her new environment. It was also revealed that Wali Jan, who is deaf and unable to speak, had a previous conviction in 2019 for possession of indecent images of children when living in Belgium.

Mr Justice Turner, in his sentencing remarks to Naim, noted her failure to admit details of her attack on Omra, while also citing Wali Jan's previous conviction as an "earlier example of his attitude to the welfare of children." Alan Richardson of the Crown Prosecution Service stated, "Morsal Mohammed Naim not only shook her daughter to death, but then lied about what she had done. It is a killing almost impossible to comprehend in its cruelty and sheer senselessness." Philip Reade, Senior Investigating Officer for Greater Manchester Police, echoed these sentiments, expressing that the investigation team was deeply moved by Omra's tragic death and welcomed the custodial sentences, highlighting that the parents "completely neglected their moral duty to protect her" and attempted to mislead the investigation.

Greater Manchester Police later released the first images of Omra, taken "when she was being cared for by others, which show a happy, smiling, beautiful child," contrasting sharply with her final miserable months. Videos released by GMP also showed the arrests of both Naim (December 6, 2023) and Wali Jan (April 11, 2024), with Wali Jan seen gesturing to his ear, indicating his deafness, as he was cautioned.