24 July 2012
Honour Beating - Sentencing
Two teenage boys were the victims of an 'honour beating' after
they chatted to two girls in Luton's Arndale Centre.
When the older brother one of the girls got to hear about it he
was so angry he ordered their abduction from the shopping
centre.
The victims aged 16 and 18 were bundled into the back of a car
where Akash Ali, 20, beat up the pair.
Luton crown court heard on Monday he was assisted by two
friends, Mohammed Dad, 23, and Hamzah Hussain, 20.
Laura Blackband prosecuting told the court how on Sunday 12
February this year the two boys were in the Arndale around 4.30pm
and, in the area of the market, got into a conversation with two
girls.
It was a completely innocent chat and eventually the boys walked
off.
However, word about the encounter reached Ali, the brother of
one of the girls.
As a result he instructed a group of young males to get the two
boys and bring them outside the Arndale where he was waiting in the
back of a silver Vauxhall Astra car driven by Dad.
Hussain was in the front passenger seat.
Judge Michael Kay hearing the case was told the boys were led
out of the back of the shopping centre and into Church Street where
the Astra was parked.
Having been bundled into the back of the car they were
repeatedly punched about the face and body by Ali and Hussain.
Dad joined in and both victims suffered bruises.
Miss Blackband said both teenagers were then robbed by Ali. One
had his BlackBerry phone taken and the other had an expensive watch
stolen.
The court heard the youngsters were eventually allowed to get
out of the car and reported what had happened to the police.
As a result, officers stopped the Astra about an hour later in
Luton and all three defendants were arrested.
Hussain was even wearing the watch that had been taken.
In court on Monday Ali, of Wickstead Avenue, Luton, pleaded
guilty to robbery.
Hussain of Halfway Avenue, Luton and Dad of Beechwood Road,
Luton, pleaded guilty to two offences of assault occasioning actual
bodily harm. Hussain admitted two offences of handling the watch
and the BlackBerry.
Yasmin Punjani defending Ali said it had been "brotherly
concern" for his sister and he had acted completely out of
character. "This was a moment of utter madness when he embarked on
this course," she said.
Both Hussain and Dad were described as intelligent young
men.
Hussain had lost his chance of becoming a professional
accountant as a result of what had happened, the court was
told.
Passing sentence, Judge Kay told Ali "This was a form of honour
beating to teach them a lesson not to talk to your sister. It was
shocking and outrageous behaviour that will not be tolerated."
The judged added "This was no doubt a frightening experience for
two young boys. They were frogmarched out of the Arndale and into
this vehicle. They had no idea what was going to happen."
Ali was sentenced to 30 months detention in a young offenders
institute, Hussain was sentenced to 18 months and Dad received a 10
month prison term for his role.
Please note - All of the court copies are provided
by South Beds News Agency, who retain the copyright© for all
articles published.
