Sussex mum cleared of attempting to murder disabled son
10-year-old Mustafa died at a Brighton children's hospital in 2018
Last updated 31st May 2022
A Hove mother has been found not guilty of attempted murder following the death of her severely disabled 10-year-old son.
Pembe Mehmetaliogullari, 48, of Lower Market Street, Hove, was charged with the attempted murder of her son, Mustafa, and administering a noxious substance with intent. She had denied the charges.
She was found guilty of administering a noxious substance at Brighton Crown Court on Friday (May 27th) and will be sentenced at a later date.
The court heard that Mustafa, who lived with severe complex physical and mental disabilities, sadly died at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton on 30 September 2018, having been admitted for treatment three days earlier.
Police were informed and a post mortem and subsequent toxicology examination established that his death was due to administration of non-prescribed medication.
The cause of death is currently unascertained and could not be attributed to the drugs found in his system.
It was the prosecution’s case that Mehmetaliogullari had administered Mustafa the drug Citalopram at home and the painkiller Co-codamol to him at the hospital.
Mustafa and his mother had been living at Eastview Terrace, Sedlescombe, East Sussex, prior to his admission to hospital.
After the case Detective Sergeant Barry Chandler from the East Sussex Safeguarding Unit said:
“This is a tragic case and our thoughts are with Mustafa’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“I’d like to thank the members of the jury who carefully considered the evidence put before them and we respect the decision they have made today.
“I’d also like to thank the witnesses and the investigative team who worked so hard on this complex and distressing case.”