Shopkeeper accused of slitting the throats of his two children, aged three and 19 months, while his wife was in the shower, court hears
- Nadarajah Nithiyakumar allegedly killed his two children at flat in Ilford, London
- Daughter Pavinya, aged 19 months, died at scene and son Nigish, 3, in hospital
- The incident took place on April 26 while ‘wife was in the shower’, court hears
- Nithiyakumar, of Aldborough Parade, Ilford, charged with two counts of murder
A shopkeeper killed his two children while his wife was in the shower, a court today heard.
Nadarajah Nithiyakumar slit the throats of Pavinya Nithiyakumar, aged 19 months, and her three-year-old brother Nigish Nithiyakumar at their home in Ilford, east London, prosecutors allege.
Pavinya was declared dead at the scene of the incident, which took place around 6pm on April 26.
Nigish was pronounced dead less than two hours later at the Royal London Hospital.
Prosecutors say the 40-year-old shopkeeper caused a ‘very serious injury’ to himself after the incident.
Nadarajah Nithiyakumar, 40, of Ilford has been charged with the murder of his two children at their home in Ilford, London. He is pictured (centre) with wife Nisa (left) and son Nigish (right)
Prosecutors allege Nithiyakumar slit the throats of children Pavinya (left), aged 19 months, and her three-year-old brother Nigish (right)
Nithiyakumar, who appeared via video link today at the Old Bailey for his second court appearance, is charged with murdering his two children.
Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, told the court: ‘It is the prosecution case that he slit both of their throats. One died at the scene, one very shortly after in hospital.
‘The defendant also caused himself a very serious injury.
‘When he was interviewed, he told police he couldn’t manage himself, because he was depressed and whilst working in the shop customers had upset him.
‘His wife was in the shower at the time.’
Nithiyakumar, of Aldborough Parade, Ilford, is charged with two counts of murder.
He was remanded in custody by Judge Nigel Lickley ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 28.
The incident took place at their home in Aldborough Road North in Ilford, east London, on April 26
As previously reported by MailOnline, an inquest into the children’s deaths was opened at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court last month.
Area coroner Graeme Irvine said: ‘Pavinya died of injuries at the scene and was pronounced extinct at 5.53pm
‘Nigish died of injuries and was pronounced extinct at 7.42pm at Royal London Hospital.
Mr Irvine said: ‘I am satisfied after hearing about these very very sad deaths that an inquest is necessary.
‘I’m not going to fix a time for the inquest as there is an ongoing criminal investigation into both of these deaths.
‘Another hearing will take place on November 30, 2020.
‘We will approach the senior investigation officer to provide an update to the ongoing criminal proceedings. These two inquests are now open.’