Mum spared jail after son dies alone in bath
A MUM whose three-year-old son died after she left him alone in the bath - months after he swallowed some of her medication - has been spared jail.
Sahrish Idris, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty and was given a suspended sentence.
Little Aayn died in March after being found face down in the bath, after Idris went downstairs to do some laundry, leaving him alone for about 15 minutes, Manchester Crown Court heard.
As she was being quizzed over the tragedy she told officers that on a previous occasion Aayn suffered hallucinations after he ate three of her anti-depressant tablets left within his reach.
Judge David Stockdale QC said he was satisfied Idris had not caused her son’s death.
Doctors could not provide a definitive cause of death, and said sudden arrhythmia death syndrome could not be ruled out.
Prosecuting, Mark Kellet said Idris called 999 at 10.34pm on March 26, Mother’s Day, and said her son was not breathing and had turned blue. Idris was ‘hysterical’ and told paramedics Aayn had been playing in the bath when she left him. When she returned he was face down unconscious with no sign of cardiac activity. He died at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital at 12.29am on March 27.
Pathologists found the cause of death could not be ascertained.
The court heard their reports were consistent with drowning, but this could not be confirmed because of the prolonged attempts at resuscitation.
She also admitted on July 13 last year he ate three of her antidepressants tablets, while she had left him on a worktop for three minutes. He made a full recovery in hospital hours later.
Defending, Stephen Meadowcroft QC said there was evidence that Aayn had otherwise been well looked after.
Idris stood emotionless as she was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years.
Idris, of Giles Street, Rusholme, must also complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Previous charges of manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child and administering a poison were dropped and the judge formally entered not guilty verdicts against Idris, who has seven previous convictions including three offences of having a bladed article in a public place.