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News | Fri 23rd Jan, 2015
Kiki Muddar, 43, and Polly Chowdhury, 35, are accused of murdering Ayesha Ali on 29 August 2013 after her body was found in her bedroom in a block of flats in Chadwell Heath, London. The cause of death was a head injury and Ayesha was found with over 50 injuries including bite marks and carpet burns. The defendants deny murder, manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child between 1 March and 29 August 2013.
The relationship between Ms Muddar and Ms Chowdhury, Ayesha’s mother, has been described as highly “unconventional” by the prosecution. The defendants were lovers and Ms Muddar is said to have controlled Ms Chowdhury via male alter-egos called Skyman and Jimmy Chowdhury who only existed on text messages and Facebook messages. Ms Muddar’s hatred for Ayesha was evidenced in messages and phone calls.
The court has heard that the pair became friends when they lived near each other, and in 2012 Ms Muddar moved into Ms Chowdhury’s home, which led to the breakdown of her marriage.
Ms Chowdhury is said to have “fallen in love with Ms Muddar’s fictional Facebook character Jimmy Chowdhury and a sexual relationship developed between the women”. Ms Chowdhury believed she was having sex with her soul mate “through the medium of Kiki”.
Ms Muddar was also behind a character called Skyman, who only communicated by text, and who Ms Chowdhury “would try to act in a way that was approved of by him”, jurors were told.
The court heard Ms Muddar repeatedly said she hated Ayesha through texts stating: “You have no right to ever love or like your evil daughter”. She also threatened to drown Ayesha during a phone call to a friend.
Jurors were told of a series of notes signed by Ms Chowdhury that were found at the home, including a letter dated the day before Ayesha was found dead which said: “I Polly Chowdhury am writing this letter to let everyone know that I have taken my life and Ayesha’s life. I am writing this of my own free will.”
Mr Whittam QC, prosecuting, said the defendants had an “unusual relationship” and one or both of them were responsible for the fatal injuries to Ayesha.
The case continues at the Old Bailey. Tom Little is junior counsel to the prosecution team.