Couple Jailed for 44 Years Over Son’s Death and Burial in Garden

Hi and welcome to this JK NEWS B'HAM Crime Report for VPN: REGIONAL NETWORKS:

A Birmingham couple who invented their own pseudo-religion and rejected government institutions in favour of an eccentric, conspiracy-fueled lifestyle have been sentenced to a combined 44 years in prison for causing or allowing the death of their four-year-old son, Abiyah, whose body they buried in their garden.

Tai Yasharahyalah, 42, was sentenced to 24-and-a-half years, while his wife Naiyahmi, 41, received 19-and-a-half years. Both will serve half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

The couple were convicted at Coventry Crown Court of neglect, perverting the course of justice, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The court heard that Abiyah died in early 2020 from severe malnutrition and a respiratory illness after being fed a restricted vegan diet. Despite obvious signs of deteriorating health, including stunted growth and rickets, the pair failed to seek medical help, instead adhering to their alternative beliefs.

A Life of Fantasy and Neglect

Tai and Naiyahmi’s lives were shaped by their unconventional lifestyle, blending alternative spirituality, online conspiracy theories, and Tai’s self-created pseudo-religion. Tai referred to himself as having renounced British citizenship to become the “king” of his fictional Kingdom of Yasharahyalah.

The couple shared videos and music expressing their beliefs on social media and Tai authored self-published books including one on how to balance spiritual and business success - in stark contrast to the squalid living conditions of the couple.

The family lived off handouts while Tai promoted his ideas online, but their financial instability led to eviction from their rented Birmingham home. They subsequently lived in increasingly precarious conditions, including a shipping container and later a caravan in Glastonbury.

The court heard that their beliefs extended to a total rejection of conventional healthcare, which contributed to their son’s death.

Concealment of Death

After Abiyah died at home in early 2020, the couple kept his body in their bed for eight days while Tai performed a ritual, hoping his son would “come back.” Eventually, they buried him in their garden, but authorities only discovered the body two years later, in December 2022, after the pair was arrested in Somerset.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin KC described how Abiyah “started life small but normal” but became “abnormally small” over time due to malnutrition, arguing the signs of his condition would have been obvious to his parents.

Mr Justice Wall, sentencing, told the couple:

“Many of the signs of disease were obvious. I am sure that you did not miss them. There was clear evidence that his movements would have been restricted. He must have been in pain and, as a child of almost four, able to communicate that pain verbally as well as crying out or screaming.”

He described their actions as a deliberate failure to act on their son’s suffering. It would have been apparent to them that a different approach to raising their child would have improved his condition, but they considered it more important to do with what they considered in line with their beliefs.

This capability was compounded by their attempts to evade justice by not registering his birth or death.

Mitigation and Responsibility

In mitigation, the couple’s barristers argued that their actions stemmed from misguided beliefs rather than intentional cruelty. Naiyahmi was described as “wilfully blind” to Abiyah’s malnutrition, genuinely believing their lifestyle was in his best interests.

Tai’s barrister, Bernard Tetlow KC, said his client carried the burden of guilt and highlighted the “bizarre and unusual” nature of the case, which he described as deeply tragic.

Their defence also argued for reduced sentences on the grounds that Tai-Zamarai had already been attacked twice while in custody and that prison would likely be a very hostile environment for the convicted parents.

A Warning to Others

Mr Justice Wall emphasized the serious consequences of the couple’s actions, both in neglecting their son’s welfare and in attempting to conceal his death.

The case, rooted in fantasy and unconventional beliefs, serves as a stark reminder of the moral and legal responsibilities parents hold, and the devastating impact when those duties are abandoned.

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing

As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:

This legal clarification explores the key elements of the offences for which Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah were convicted and their defence arguments, as well as their claim, on being contacted by police, of having renounced UK citizenship and of being outside British jurisdiction.

1. Claiming Exemption from British Law

When initially contacted by police, Tai Yasharahyalah claimed he was not subject to British law, asserting sovereignty based on a belief system he had devised. However, such declarations have no legal standing in the UK.

Why Their Claim Was Invalid

• UK Sovereignty: The UK government maintains sovereignty over its territory, and individuals cannot unilaterally exempt themselves from its jurisdiction. British law applies to all residents of the UK, regardless of personal beliefs or claims of independence.

• Legal Basis for Sovereignty: International law (e.g., the Montevideo Convention) requires a state to have a permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity for international relations. Declaring a house or property as independent fails to meet these criteria.

• Case Precedents: Self-declared “micronations,” such as Sealand, remain under UK jurisdiction. While symbolic gestures of independence are not illegal, they do not affect the enforcement of UK law.

In short, the couple’s belief in their immunity to British law was baseless. Regardless of their claims, they were subject to the criminal justice system and the consequences of their actions.

2. Crimes Committed and Sentencing

Neglect and Allowing a Child’s Death

Under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, causing or allowing the death of a child carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Prosecutors proved that the couple failed to act on obvious signs of malnutrition and illness that ultimately led to their son’s death. Despite his severe condition, the couple refused to seek medical intervention, prioritizing their “naturalistic lifestyle” over their child’s well-being.

Perverting the Course of Justice

By failing to report their son’s death to authorities, hiding his body for eight days in their home, and later burying him in the garden, the couple obstructed justice. Perverting the course of justice is a common law offence, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The prolonged delay in discovering Abiyah’s body compounded the seriousness of the crime, as it hindered investigations and denied the child dignity in death.

Sentencing Factors

The judge considered several aggravating factors:

• The prolonged suffering Abiyah endured due to severe malnutrition and lack of care.

• The deliberate concealment of his death and the subsequent burial.

• The couple’s persistent denial of responsibility.

While defence counsel argued mitigating circumstances, such as Naiyahmi’s “wilful blindness” and Tai’s belief in ritual practices, the court found these insufficient to lessen their culpability significantly.

Key Takeaways

This case demonstrates the importance of parental duty under UK law, particularly the requirement to ensure a child’s safety and well-being. It also highlights the gravity of perverting the course of justice, where efforts to conceal wrongdoing can result in severe penalties.

The legal system’s response underscores that no belief system or claim of sovereignty exempts individuals from the law, ensuring accountability and justice for the most vulnerable.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Jason King

Birmingham City-Desk

Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews

Jasonkingnews@gmail.com