A man has been told he must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison for the “brutal, merciless and outrageous” murder of his five-year-old stepdaughter in Co Antrim in 2019.
Nadia Zofia Kalinowska died after she was found with multiple injuries at her family home in Fernagh Drive, Newtownabbey, Belfast in December 2019.
At Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice O’Hara sentenced Abdul Wahab for repeatedly attacking and beating Nadia, who had suffered more than 70 injuries, including a fractured skull, over many months.
The judge said: “What Mr Wahab did to Nadia was brutal, merciless and outrageous.
“I do not believe in any way that Nadia’s injuries relate to her being clumsy or accident prone.”
Nadia’s mother Aleksandra Wahab (29) was sentenced to 11 years, half to be served in custody, for allowing the death of a child and allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
The Wahabs, of Fernagh Drive, were both originally charged with murder.
Earlier this year, Abdul Wahab pleaded guilty to the murder of Nadia as well as two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Aleksandra Wahab pleaded guilty to the charges she was sentenced for.
At the time of their initial arrests, the Wahabs both claimed Nadia’s death was accidental.
Speaking afterwards, Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said Nadia’s extended family in Poland had suffered “unimaginable heartache and pain”.
Describing the murder as the “ultimate betrayal of trust”, she said: “Nadia, who was a young and innocent child, had been subjected to a campaign of violence by her stepfather, while her mother ignored the very obvious attacks being carried out on her young daughter.
“They failed to ever seek medical treatment for any of her injuries.
“My thoughts today are with Nadia’s grandmother and extended family in Poland, who have suffered unimaginable heartache and pain.
“The whole community, including teachers and staff at Nadia’s school, have been left shaken by this truly distressing case. Nadia was a much-loved pupil at St James’ Primary School in Newtownabbey. This was her safe space, and I’m grateful to the school for their support throughout this investigation.
“Nadia’s mother and stepfather denied her the future she deserved and while today’s result will not bring her back, I hope it can bring some comfort to her remaining family in Poland.”
In a statement, Nadia’s extended family said they had been left shattered by her death.
A statement released by the PSNI on behalf of her extended family said: “Nadia was just a child.
“A child who had her young and innocent life cruelly taken away.
“Our little one was loved and treasured by her family here in Poland.
“We have supported the police investigation over the last traumatic three and a half years, and are truly grateful to everyone for their support.
“We’re still, however, trying to come to terms with what happened to Nadia. And I’m not sure that we ever will.
“To be honest, our worlds have been shattered.
“Nadia will always remain in the heart of her loving grandmother and her closest family in Poland.” - PA