Boy, 5, died after falling from compromised tower block window

A five-year-old boy died instantly after falling from a 15th-floor kitchen window in Plaistow, east London. Aalim Ahmed fell from the residential block in Jacobs House on 16 May 2024. His father discovered his body shortly before 6am that morning.

The boy's mother, Sahra Osman, described her son's death as preventable and blamed Newham Council, stating she had reported safety concerns about the flat on multiple occasions. She told the court she was scared and horrified when the council placed her family in the flat, which she said needed repairs. Aalim had autism and, according to Ms Osman, "no sense of danger."

Conflicting accounts of window safety

Contrasting accounts regarding the condition of the windows were presented at the inquest. An engineer sent by Newham Council to inspect the windows in December 2023 stated they were functioning correctly. However, Ms Osman had a list of complaints spanning several months, including fears that the windows were opening too wide and that she did not possess a key to restrict them.

Assistant coroner Ian Wade stated at East London Coroner's Court that the windows "were not used appropriately." He delivered a narrative conclusion, finding that Aalim, who suffered from autism, climbed onto a chair and then the windowsill of a double turn and tilt window. The boy opened the window and "leapt from the open window" with a belief he could fly or come to no harm. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as multiple injuries from a fall from height.

Mr Wade noted that the issue was not the height of the flat but that the windows had become compromised. He did not find a basis for issuing a report to prevent future deaths, stating there was no compelling reason why a landlord should have considered placing the boy on the 15th floor inappropriate.

Window repairs and restrictors

Window engineer Charlie Mann testified that all windows, including handles and restrictors, were working when he tested them in December 2023. A restrictor is a safety device intended to limit window opening to between 50mm and 100mm. After speaking with Aalim's mother about her son's autism, Mr Mann decided the restrictors should be changed to a lockable version. He ordered nine restrictors, and contractors fitted them in January 2024.

James Mann, managing director of ABC Ltd, the firm where Charlie Mann works, reviewed videos of police operating the window. He stated the window appeared to be entering "dual mode," which could result from misalignment, misuse, or force. This fault allowed the window to tilt and turn open simultaneously, even when the handle was only in the tilt position. In the video, the restrictor did not engage on every test. He added that an adjustment was needed, as "something is not quite right."

Tom Monk, also from ABC Ltd, told the court he spent one to two hours fitting new restrictors in January 2024 and may have returned a few days later to fit a new hinge on a casement window. Detective Inspector Jamie Humm, who investigated the incident, found no evidence or suspicion that Aalim had been forced. He noted the flat was well-furnished and appeared to be a loving environment, and he was satisfied there was no evidence of a crime.

Audio from CCTV outside the building captured a child's voice counting down "three, two, one," followed by a loud clang. Detective Constable Joe Linton stated it was most likely that Aalim had "jumped out" of the flat of his own accord, without a third party present.