Friend says services 'knew she was ill' days before Bristol mother killed her three children

Yasmeen Ali's friend called social services and police on 6 February 2024, and there were calls to section her, but she was never sectioned. Twelve days later Ali, a 44-year-old former nurse, stabbed Fares, 7, Joury, 3, and baby Mohammed in Sea Mills, Bristol. She had left a psychiatric hospital six days earlier. On Friday she admitted manslaughter and was given an indefinite hospital order.

Ali's psychotic state was reportedly diagnosed as mere 'stress' before the killings.

Judge Thomas Linden offered condolences over failings by local mental health services.

Her friend said: 'Somebody failed... It could have been prevented.'