Woman goes on trial for ‘aiding FGM of girl’
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a woman accused of aiding in the genital mutilation of a three-year-old girl by taking her abroad.
Amina Noor, 39, allegedly took the child to Kenya in 2006 where the procedure was performed.
Noor is charged with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a non-UK citizen to mutilate the genitals of a UK female citizen.
The procedure was a ‘type-1 female genital mutilation which involves the entire removal of the clitoris’.
Originally from Kenya, Noor was granted UK citizenship in 2005.
Noor, of Edgware, northwest London, appeared at the Old Bailey today (mon) wearing a purple and grey headscarf and watched as 12 jurors were sworn to try the case.
She was assisted by a Somali interpreter.
Mr Justice Bryan gave the jury legal directions telling them they must try the case based on the evidence and not research the case.
He said: ‘As you’ve heard this case concerns matters relating to female genital mutilation.
‘Such matters are emotional matters but you must judge the matters on the evidence you have heard in court.’
Deanna Heer, KC, is due to open the case for the prosecution on Wednesday morning.
The trial is set to last two weeks.
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