Man told girlfriend he had 'punched' and 'killed' girl, 11, after bathroom tragedy, inquest hears

The half-brother of an 11-year-old girl who died after suffering an injury in her bathroom told his girlfriend he had 'punched' and 'killed her', an inquest has heard. Falaq Babar, from Rochdale, died in hospital on March 18 last year.

It followed an incident at her home more than three weeks earlier, on February 20. An inquest into her death is taking place at Rochdale Coroners' Court this week.

Suhail Mohammed, Falaq's older half-brother, told the court this afternoon (November 20) she had become injured after he 'barged' open the bathroom door. But a series of text messages, uncovered by police, revealed a different version of events which Mr Mohammed gave to his partner.

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He told the court he had heard the sound of Falaq 'bickering' with a younger brother who wanted to get in the bathroom, while she was inside. Mr Mohammed told coroner Joanne Kearsley he didn't know why Falaq didn't want her younger brother to come in, but he did not think the door was locked.

"I've tried opening the door," he said. "I used quite a bit of force. As I used the force, Falaq was on the other side of the door."

Mr Mohammed suggested the door may have been stuck due to 'dampness'. He described 'barging' it once with his 'shoulder and elbow', although he had previously told police he barged it twice, the court heard.

Falaq was 'on the floor' between the radiator and the floor when Mr Mohammed saw her inside after opening the door, he told the court. Mr Mohammed said: "I helped her up and she goes into