Vulnerable man 'killed by parents and brothers during botched exorcism because they thought he was possessed by demons'

Kennedy Ife's family allegedly believed he was "possessed by a demon" and are accused of killing him by not seeking medical help when he fell ill.

Josephine, 55, and Kenneth Ife, 64, and their five sons are accused of the manslaughter of 26-year-old Kennedy.

He died in August 2016 after he was allegedly restrained at the family home in Barnet, north London.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC told potential jurors at the Old Bailey it was an "unusual and interesting" case.

He said: "The defendants are all members of one family. The parents and children of the person who died was either their son or their brother.

"The issue in this case is that the 26-year-old man who died fell ill and the family did not seek medical help for him because through their religious beliefs they thought he was possessed by a demon.

"He was restrained and no medical help was given to him.

"That is the allegation – matters all therefore to be explored at the trial."

The parents deny manslaughter, false imprisonment and causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult between August 19 and 23, 2016, along with their sons Colin, 26, twins Daniel and Samuel, 20, Harry, 32, and Roy 33.

Prosecutor Tom Little QC is expected to open the case after the jury is sworn in at 2pm today.

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