A woman who strangled her five-year-old daughter after becoming depressed during the pandemic has been jailed for five years.

Five-year-old Aliyah Thomas was found dead on 14 September at her family home in Ealing, west London.

Martina Madarova pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Aliyah by reason of diminished responsibility.

Alijah Thomas’ mother Martina Madarova had put on cartoons for her before carrying out the act as the tot said: said, “Mummy, don’t kill me.”

At the hearing, Madarova entered a plea of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility the plea was accepted by the court and Madarova was sentenced at the same hearing to five years’ imprisonment.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. Despite their efforts, five-year-old Alijah Thomas was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Thursday, 16 September found the cause of Alijah’s death to have been compression of the neck.

Martina Madarova was arrested at the scene and was charged on Wednesday, 15 September with murder.

She appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 16 September where she was remanded in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Shirley of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “This has been a truly harrowing investigation that involved the loss of an innocent young life at the hands of a loved one.

“I sincerely hope that Alijah’s family are comforted by the knowledge that Martina Madarova will now receive the help that she needs. Our thoughts are with them today.”

Alijah’s father said: “No words could ever explain or put into context how I have felt since Alijah was taken from us. There is no escaping this situation, every day I have to live through the loss of my daughter and the impact it has had on us. This has changed our lives.

“I am not only suffering the loss of my daughter but I have also lost my partner in these tragic circumstances. Martina was more than just a partner, she was my best friend and my soul mate. This is a case of mental health. There is no hatred towards Martina.”