'Witch killers' abused girl too, Old Bailey told

A couple accused of torturing a boy to death "for being a witch" abused a teenage girl for the same reason, the Old Bailey heard today.

Kristy Bamu, 15, suffered 101 injuries at the hands of his sister Magalie and her partner Eric Bikubi, both 28, on Christmas Day 2010, it is claimed. The pair allegedly used pliers, knives and a hammer on him at their Newham flat.

Today prosecutor Brian Altman said that in 2008 they accused a 19-year-old relative of witchcraft.
As with Kristy, Bikubi suspected Naomi Ilonga of harming another child of the family and ordered Bamu to throw away anything the girl had touched, including clothes and pans.

Bikubi is also said to have subjected her to all-night prayer sessions and forced her to endure days without food, before cutting off her hair to "release the witchcraft".

Both accused deny murder. Bikubi admits killing Kristy, but claims it was manslaughter because he was mentally ill at the time.

Bamu also denies actual bodily harm to her two sisters, while Bikubi admits assaulting them. The trial continues.