Jamie Edwin Barrow

The offence

What the court heard

THIS SENTENCE HAS BEEN REDUCED ON APPEALHe was found guilty of murder and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered in Clifton, Nottinghamshire, on 20 November 2022. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter. SENTENCING REMARKS 1. This is a case to which the victim surcharge of £228 applies. 2. Jamie Barrow I have to sentence you for the murder of Fatoumatta Hydara, the murder of Fatimah Drammeh, the murder of Naeemah Drammeh and for arson being reckless as to whether the lives of the neighbouring residents of 23 Fairisle Close would be endangered. You were convicted of those four offences unanimously by a jury of this Crown Court on 4 July 2023. 3. Fatoumatta Hydara was a young woman full of compassion and love. She was a caring and devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. She was 28, married to Aboubbacarr Drammeh, and the mother of two beautiful little girls, Fatimah, who was 3 and Naemmah, who was 1. Their short lives were full of joy and happiness, and they brought joy and happiness to all those who knew and met them. Fatoumatta's husband, Aboubbacarr, was working in the USA and, at the end of November last year, they were due to attend the US Embassy in London to complete the final stage of a long immigration process, the completion of which would have allowed them all, as a family, to move to America. That never happened because, days earlier, you murdered Aboubbacarr's wife and his young family. The impact on Aboubbacarr has been devastating. His loss has been immeasurable. Yet his dignity throughout this trial, in this court today, has been truly remarkable. 4. Likewise, Fatoumatta's mother, Aminatta Dibba, has said that Fatoumatta was "a light for her", and now that she is gone her world is "dark and empty". She adored her grandchildren and all that they brought to her life. What you have done has had a lasting impact on Aminatta and her whole family, the extent of which they, as a family, are yet to fully understand. Aminatta is, and remains, overcome with great emotional and psychological pain. The lives of all those who knew and loved Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naemmah will never be the same again. Facts 5. I now turn to the facts of this case. I must sentence you on the basis of the jury's verdicts and I must be sure to the criminal standard as to the factual basis on which to pass sentence. The facts in relation to the last moments of the lives of Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naeemah are distressing. 6. They all died from smoke…

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Acting under the influence of drugs or drink; Multiple victims

Around this case

• Nottingham Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS East Midlands
• Investigated by Nottinghamshire Police