Mikaeel’s killer mum ‘should be released early’

The grandfather of slain tot Mikaeel Kular made an impassioned plea for the boy’s killer mum to be released early from prison so she can look after her other children.

Ahmed Saeed, 63, said he did not support a current campaign calling for Rosdeep Adekoya to face murder charges as he feels her conviction for culpable homicide is adequate.

More than 5,000 people have signed a “Justice for Mikaeel” petition protesting at the failure of prosecutors to pursue a murder charge against her.

It was launched after Adekoya, 34, admitted causing the death of three-year-old Mikaeel by punching him dozens of times at their home in Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh.

She is due to be sentenced tomorrow after her guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide was accepted by the Crown.

Ahmed, whose son Zahid was Mikaeel’s biological father, said: “She should not be sentenced for too long as she has other kids to look after.

“It’s the children I feel most sorry for. If she gets treatment in prison she might be able to be a proper mother.”

Adekoya is said to have “lost her temper” and repeatedly beat Mikaeel after he was sick following a family meal at a Nando’s restaurant.

She later found him dead in the bedroom of the flat where they lived.

She hid his body in a suitcase and dumped it, telling police Mikaeel had wandered off into the night.

Her lies prompted thousands of people to launch a fruitless search for the youngster.

However, she eventually admitted her crime to police, saying: “It was an accident and I panicked. I am going to go to jail.”

Ahmed, from Kirkcaldy, said his home and shop were searched by police during their search for Mikaeel. At the time, he didn’t realise the youngster they were looking for was his grandson.

Despite Adekoya’s shocking crime, Ahmed said he doesn’t hate her.

He said: “I’ve never met her so I don’t hold any anger towards her. I feel sorry for her.”

His stance is at direct odds with son Zahid who believes Adekoya should “stay in jail until she dies”.

Zahid, 30, has also said he wants the killer to “live for eternity so she can remember what she has done and live with the guilt”.

Last night the anguished dad told The Sunday Post he was not in a position to discuss the case.