Man accused of step-daughter’s killing fails in bid to attend child’s birth

Adbul Wahab, 32, was seeking compassionate bail at Belfast Magistrates’ Court to be with his co-defendant wife Aleksandra when she goes into labour.

The husband and wife are jointly charged with the murder of five-year-old Nadia Kalinowska at their home in Newtownabbey.

Nadia was discovered dead at the Fernagh Drive address on December 15 last year.

The couple also face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, and grievous bodily harm. Both accused deny any wrongdoing and claim their daughter sustained injuries falling down stairs.

Nadia’s mother, 26-year-old Aleksanda Wahab, is also in custody and due to give birth again within days. Two prison staff are expected to accompany her when she is admitted to hospital.

Counsel for Abdul Wahab insisted he should be granted temporary release to join his wife at that stage - even if it is in the middle of the night.

Michael Chambers said: “She would very much like her husband’s support at the birth of the child, and the hospital would facilitate Mr Wahab attending.”

Prosecution barrister Fiona O’Kane added that Mr and Mrs Wahab, from Pakistan and Poland respectively, have already been assessed by the High Court as posing potential flight risks.

Refusing compassionate bail District Judge George Conner said:“I could not have him be there on his own, and the thought of two prison officers on top of another two prison officers in a birthing ward just seems to be wholly impracticable.”