A BRITISH FATHER who suffocated his two young children with a cloth soaked in petrol before setting fire to the family home has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 33 years for their murder.
Endris Mohammed, 47, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday of the murders of eight-year-old Saros and six-year-old Leanor.
He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of his wife – the children’s mother.
In the early hours of 28 October last year, emergency services were called to a property in Hamstead, Birmingham after neighbours heard the screams of a woman, whose house was on fire.
With the help of her neighbours, the woman managed to get her two children out of the house before the fire service arrived.
Both children were taken to nearby children’s hospitals, but staff were unable to save their lives.
Their mother was also taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries.
A few hours later, the emergency services were called to a vehicle fire in Butterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Endris Mohammed was found in the driver’s seat with severe burns.
The fire service established that the fire at the house in Holland Road had been deliberately started. Traces of petrol were found in the kitchen, lounge and hall area.
A gas pipe in the kitchen had been tampered with, the electricity supply switched off to deactivate the fire alarm and the back door locked. Post-mortem examinations concluded that the children had been smothered with a cloth soaked in petrol before the house was set on fire.
Emily Lenham from CPS West Midlands said:
“On the evening of the murders, knowing that his wife was asleep, Endris Mohammed killed his children by suffocating them with a petrol-soaked cloth and then set fire to the family home.
Saros and Leanor Endris were happy, healthy children with bright futures ahead of them. They had a loving and supportive mother who worked hard to provide a comfortable family home.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Saros and Leanor Endris.”
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