A Bristol mother has been informed she will stand trial next year, charged with the murder of her three young children, as their grieving father held photographs of them aloft in court.
Court sets provisional trial date for 2026
During a brief hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for October 12, 2026. Yasmeen Ali, 43, is accused of murdering her children: seven-year-old Fares Bash, three-year-old Joury Bash, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash.
The charges relate to a tragic incident at the family home on Blaise Walk in the Sea Mills area of Bristol in February 2024. Ali, who was not required to appear in person at this hearing, is currently being held in a psychiatric hospital.
Details of the children's deaths revealed
A previous inquest heard that all three siblings died from knife wounds, with injuries to their chests and necks. The hearing also revealed that Fares Bash showed possible signs of asphyxia.
The children's father, Alfil Bash, attended the court hearing alongside other community members. He was seen holding up photographs of Fares, Joury, and Mohammed during the proceedings.
Ongoing legal process and police referral
The defendant is next expected to appear in court, via video link, on March 20, 2026. Following the initial incident, Avon and Somerset Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior contact with the family. The police watchdog subsequently determined that no investigation was required.
The community of Sea Mills and the city of Bristol continue to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating case as the lengthy legal process moves forward.
