Maidenhead mother pleads guilty to manslaughter of four-year-old son

A Maidenhead mother has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her four-year-old son.

Akanksha Adivarekar, 37, of Dunholme End in Cox Green, pleaded guilty to the charge at a hearing in Reading Crown Court today (December 3).

Police were sent to a house in Dunholme End at around 6.30pm on June 10, where four-year-old Agustya Hegishte was pronounced dead at the scene.

Adivarekar was arrested on the same day. She was later charged with murder and had been set to face a two-week trial beginning on Tuesday (December 2).  

However, prosecutors said today that she was being charged with manslaughter following discussions with the defence, and submissions from medical experts.

Adivarekar was charged with manslaughter over the ‘unlawful killing’ of Augustya on June 10.

“Do you plead guilty or not guilty?” the court clerk said.

Adivarekar replied: “Guilty.”

Prosecutor Anne Whyte KC, appearing at the court via video link, said: “There have been extensive discussions with the Crown (prosecution) and the defence in relation to this matter [the charge of manslaughter]."

The defence is represented by Bernard Tetlow KC and barrister Sanjeev Sharma.

Medical experts from the prosecution and defence, and a doctor giving psychiatric treatment to Adivarekar, are set to provide submissions to the court on her condition in the coming days.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Michael Grieve KC said sentencing was set to take place at Reading Crown Court on December 11.

He said: “You will be brought back before the court, and on that day the court will have to decide the appropriate sentence to put upon you... Do you understand?"

“I understand,” Adivarekar said.  

Reporting of the child’s name in this case has been permitted after a journalist successfully challenged a judge’s decision to issue a restriction earlier in proceedings.