Magalie Bamu, charged with the murder of her 15-year-old brother, broke down at her trial in London today. Kristy Bamu, Magalies brother was found drowned on Christmas day 2010 after an attempted exorcism. Magalie claimed to the Old Bailey that her boyfriend, Eric Bikubi, forced her to torture Kristy and her other siblings.When Kristy's body was found he had suffered 101 injuries, he and his siblings had been visiting Magalie and Bikubi for Christmas.
Both Magalie and Bikubi who are both 28 and from Newham, east London, deny all charges of murder although Bikubi admits assaulting Kristy's siblings whilst Magalie denies two further charges of causing actual bodily harm to her other siblings..
When asked to describe the events that led to Kristy's death, Magalie cried out: "I don't know how it can come to this point". Her outburst prompted the judge to ask her to take a few minutes to calm down. She then preceeded to tell the jury how her boyfriend, Bikubi, started assaulting her siblings after accusing them of using witchcraft.
"I couldn't do anything I was so scared, I was petrified"
The court heard that Bikubi punched and hit Magalies siblings with a length of wood. She then told the cjury that Bikubi forced her to join and slap the children. "I couldn't do anything I was so scared, I was petrified ...I've never seen Eric like this before".
Bikubi admitted to the manslaughter charges on the grounds of diminished resposibility which has been rejected by the prosecution. He also forced other children to join in the abuse of the three siblings. Bikubi focussed his attention on Kristy for no known reason and when Bikubi placed him in a bath Kristy drowned as he was "too exhausted" to keep his head above water,
The trial continues.
Article by Michelle
