Ilford murder probe: Toddler and boy, three, 'had throats cut during attack by father at family home in east London'

The two young children were attacked by their father, the inquest heard
NIGEL HOWARD ©
Imogen Braddick7 May 2020
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Two young children had their throats cut during an attack by their father at the family home in east London, an inquest has heard.

Pavinya Nithiyakumar, aged 19 months, and Nigash Nithiyakumar, who was three years old, were fatally wounded at their house in Aldborough Road North in Ilford, on Sunday, April 26, Walthamstow Coroner’s Court was told.

Their father, named locally as newsagent worker Nithin Kumar, 40, was rushed to hospital with knife wounds and remains in a critical condition.

Scotland Yard has launched a murder investigation but officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Pavinya and Nigash were fatally wounded during the attack at their home in Ilford
Met Police

Opening the inquests into the children’s deaths on Thursday, east London area coroner Graeme Irvine was told by an official: “On the April 26, 2020, Nigash was attacked by his father at the home address. His throat was cut.”

Coroner’s officer Jean Smyth added that Nigash died in hospital in Whitechapel, east London, at 7.42pm the same day after being rushed there by ambulance.

She said: “A forensic post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Nathaniel Cary on April 28 at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. The cause of death was given as…incised wound to the neck.”

Ms Smyth continued: “On April 26 Pavinya was attacked by her father at the home address. Her throat was cut and she died of her injuries at the scene. Life was pronounced extinct at 5.53pm.”

Her cause of death was also given as an incised wound to the neck.

Both children were identified by their mother, named locally as Nisa.

Officers were called to the scene on Sunday, April 26
NIGEL HOWARD ©

Mr Irvine said: “I am satisfied in relation to both of these very, very sad deaths that an inquest is necessary.

“I am not going to fix a time for the inquest as I am aware there is an ongoing criminal investigation in relation to both of those deaths.

"It may well be that the criminal investigation will supersede the coroner’s investigation.”

He set a review date for November 30 after formally opening the inquests.

Reporters listened to proceedings remotely by telephone link.

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