Mikaeel's Mother Jailed

The mother of Mikaeel Kular who admitted to killing him has been jailed for 11 years.

Rosdeep Adekoya was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of culpable homicide and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Three-year old Mikaeel was reported missing from his Edinburgh home on January 16th.

His disappearance sparked a large-scale search in and around the capital.

Two days later, Police announced that they'd found a body in woodland in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Adekoya lost her temper and assaulted Mikaeel after he became unwell following a trip to a restaurant in Edinburgh.

After he died, Rosdeep Adekoya wrapped her son's body in a duvet and concealed it in a suitcase before hiding it in Dunvegan Avenue.

The youngster's death certificate reveals that he died from internal bleeding and peritonitis.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, lead officer for Police Scotland on Major Crime and Public Protection, said: 

"Police Scotland's thoughts and condolences today remain with Mikaeel's family, following the sentencing of his mother who admitted causing his death.

"The sudden death of any child as the result of the actions of another is always difficult to come to terms with and reverberates through entire communities. Mikaeel died through injuries sustained over a period of time inflicted by the very person who should have been there to care for him.

"Police Scotland began a significant missing person inquiry when Mikaeel was reported missing to us by Rosdeep Adekoya. That was assisted greatly by members of the community who came out in their hundreds to look for Mikaeel, whilst at the height of our searches over 300 officers and staff including mountain rescue experts and dog units were actively looking for him. Our inquiry led to the activation of Child Rescue Alert, such was the concern for his well-being, and significant resources were utilised from across Police Scotland's territorial and specialist divisions as well as partner agencies.

"Sadly, the circumstances in which Mikaeel was discovered revealed that these efforts were in vain. I would once again like to extend my most sincere thanks to the public for the help they provided and reiterate that today my thoughts are with Mikaeel's family and those who knew him."