FGM trial: First ever person convicted of practice in UK jailed for 13 years after mutilating 3-year-old daughter

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Let’s be clear,” she added, “FGM is a form of child abuse.” Sentencing the woman, whose daughter is now in foster care, the judge told her there had been “sickening” aggravating factors: “As her mother, you betrayed her trust in you. “These suggestions derived from witchcraft objects found at your home and messages found on your phone – but they are no more than possibilities.” The girl’s mother was found guilty of FGM offences in February – the first time anyone has been convicted of the crime since the practice was first criminalised in the UK by the Female Circumcision Act 1985, which was replaced by the stronger Female Genital Mutilation Act in 2003. “The effects of female genital mutilation have a lifelong impact on survivors both physically and psychologically, so it is vital support is in place for the child for as long as she needs it.” National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for FGM, Commander Ivan Balhatchet, added: “Today’s sentencing will act as a deterrent and a warning that our society will not accept this child abuse, but prosecutions alone will not solve this problem. We will treat each individual case sensitively and confidentially.” Senior CPS official Lynette Woodrow said outside court: “FGM is an extremely serious form of child abuse and today’s sentence underlines that.