London witch killing

But the court heard there was ample evidence to show she hit Kristy and "stoked the fire of violence" Bikubi had embarked on in the flat. Bamu was also found guilty of two counts of assault, charges which Bikubi had pleaded guilty to. Outside court, chief crown prosecutor Jenny Hopkins said Bikubi "knew exactly what he was doing".

Met Det Supt Terry Sharpe said: "Child abuse in any form, including that based on a belief in witchcraft or spirit possession, is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faith, and is never acceptable in any circumstances. Kristy's family said they hoped comfort could be drawn from his death through raising awareness "of the plight of children accused of witchcraft or spirit possession and promote the need to safeguard children's rights".

Killers' witchcraft 'obsession'. DR Congo's 'child witch' exorcism. Family 'will never forget Kristy'. Witch killing man 'brain damaged'. Man told 'I will kill your son'. Child recalls youth's bath death. Kristy was visiting the couple from Paris for Christmas along with his siblings, who were also attacked by the couple after Bikubi accused them of bringing "kindoki" - or witchcraft - into his home.

Bikubi beat all three of them and forced other children to join in with the attacks, the jury heard. Kristy's sisters, aged 20 and 11, escaped further attacks after "confessing" to being witches. At one point, Bikubi told them to jump out of the window to see if they could fly.

They looked to their older sister for help but instead Bamu encouraged Bikubi and beat Kristy until he also confessed to witchcraft. In court, his sister Kelly, now 21, said: "It was as if they were obsessed by witchcraft. They decided we had come there to kill them. She added: "Kristy asked for forgiveness.

He asked again and again. Magalie did absolutely nothing. She didn't give a damn. She said we deserved it. Bamu was also found guilty of two counts of assault, charges which Bikubi had pleaded guilty to. Judge Paget said he would not pass separate sentences for these convictions.

His defence claimed he was not guilty of murder because at the time of the killing he suffered from an "abnormality of mental functioning". Neuropsychiatrist Dr Peter Fenwick said a scan of Bikubi's brain showed lesions which "probably contributed to an abnormal mental state at the time of the offence". But the prosecution said when Bikubi was seen by a nurse after being arrested, he said he had no mental health problems and there was no medical history of relevance.

Magalie Bamu, known as Gigi to her family, came to live in the UK in and was educated in London. She met Bikubi, who was a football coach, in about During her defence, Bamu told the jury Bikubi had forced her to join in and attack the children. But the court heard there was "ample evidence" that not only did she strike Kristy, but that she "stoked the fire of violence" which Bikubi had embarked on inside that flat.

During the trial, it unfolded that this was not the first time the pair had accused a teenager of being possessed. When Naomi Ilonga, who was 19 at the time, stayed with the couple for a month in August , Bikubi accused her of witchcraft because she bit her nails, the court heard. Ms Ilonga, who is now 23, told the Old Bailey: "My hair was down the middle of my back. Eric cut it very short with scissors. He said it was to release my kindoki. Addressing her sister in the dock, Kelly Bamu said: "You are an idiot.

Kelly Bamu added: "It was as if they were obsessed by witchcraft and then it became absolutely unbearable. Witch killing man 'brain damaged'. Hair cut to 'release witchcraft'. Accused 'calm' just after death.