A SCHOOLGIRL died after a neighbour allegedly filled their home with insecticide which leaked toxic gas into the flat upstairs, a court has heard.

       Fatiha Sabrin suffered a heart attack after Jesmin Akter, 33, laid aluminium phosphide pellets in her flat in a bid to tackle bed bugs.

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       Fatiha Sabrin died in a ‘chemical incident’ in East London Credit: BPM

       The downstairs neighbour is said to have brought the product home from Italy without telling border control, Thames Magistrates’ Court heard.

       She reportedly neglected to read the instruction manual and laid “three times” the proscribed amount of pellets around her flat in Sutton Street, Shadwell, east London.

       District Judge Jane McIvor heard how Akter evacuated her family, including herself, that night.

       Fatiha was found unresponsive at her home on December 11 2021, the day after her birthday.

       Following the incident Street Specialist Crime Detectives were called in Akter was charged with manslaughter and importing a regulated substance.

       This morning she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth, and address.

       Varinder Hayre, prosecuting, explained little Faitha died as a result of a poisonous substance called aluminium phosphide, which is designed for pest control on farmland to protect crops.

       It is a regulated substance in the UK, which requires a license to possess and use it.

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       However, Ms Hayre said the pesticide was bought while Ms Akter was visiting her brother in Italy in November 2021.

       The defendant then allegedly travelled back to the UK with the regulated product but did not declare it to customs authorities.

       On December 10, the mum put the product around her house to tackle the bed bug infestation - but used almost three times the required about for the space she used it in.

       Ms Hayre said: “She removed her family - her two children, and her husband, and her herself – from the flat, and she stayed with a friend overnight during that night.

       “The aluminium phosphide was activated by exposure to the moisture in her flat, creating a dangerous gas known as phosphene gas, a highly toxic and poisonous gas.

       “This gas then travelled to the flats above Mrs Akter’s flat, which resulted to [the gas] travelling to the 11-year-old victim’s own flat.”

       Fatiha went into cardiac arrest on December 11, and died in hospital.

       Blood samples were reportedly taken and a medical expert confirming the presence of phosphene gas, and the expert said the gas resulted in Fatiha’s death.

       Akter was arrested on December 19, 2021.

       The prosecution explained she was deeply apologetic.

       Mrs Hayre said: “She said ‘I am so sorry I am responsible for causing people in my block to become ill, and also if I caused the victim’s death.’

       “She said ‘I would ask to apologise to everyone who has been affected by my actions, especially the victim’s family who had paid the ultimate price for my actions.’”

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       Fatiha’s family have since moved out of the block, but Akter’s remains there.

       Akter was released on bail and was ordered to stay at her home until her next court appearance at the Old Bailey on September 19.