Mother 'beat her seven-year-old son to death

A cruel mother beat her seven-year-old son to death before torching his body to try to hide her crime, a court was told yesterday.

Sara Ege, 31, allegedly killed her son Yaseen by hitting him with a stick and then setting fire to the family home to disguise his murder, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Police initially believed the house fire and Yaseen's death was an accident, but a post mortem examination showed 'a catalogue of systematic physical abuse' against the child.

Prosecutor Ian Murphy said: 'Within days when the smoke had cleared it emerged that Yaseen was dead before the fire had started.

The court heard that Yaseen's death had been been caused by significant abdominal injuries. Pathologists also found multiple non-accidental injuries on his body including broken ribs, a fractured arm and a fractured finger.

Mr Murphy added: 'The fire was started deliberately in the rear bedroom near where his body was found. He had been set on fire and dragged onto the landing.'

Ege was arrested after the post mortem and barbecue lighter fuel was found on her clothing.