The mother of four was found guilty in the landmark case on two counts of forced marriage and a charge of perjury at Birmingham Crown Court. She has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail, she remains anonymous to protect her children's identity.
The jury who delivered the guilty verdict heard how the then 17 year old was forced to go to Pakistan to marry a relative who had raped her years before after a marriage contract was drawn up.
Guilty verdict — forced marriage https://t.co/hVey31q1hZ
— Birmingham Live (@birmingham_live) May 22, 2018
Her mother has been found guilty of being complicit in forcing the marriage — which is illegal in England — by convincing her daughter she was going on a family holiday to Pakistan. She then abandoned her child on her 18th birthday and returned to the UK. Prosecutors told the court the daughter had managed to contact a friend on Facebook in Britain about what was happening.
READ MORE: New Haven for Women Suffering 'Honour' Violence Opening in London
So glad forced marriage is now a punishable offence!
— Yaz (@ummanas_zaman) May 22, 2018
The jury heard how the mother threatened her daughter with Black Magic if she told anyone after a court ordered her to secure her daughter's return to the UK.
READ MORE: Spanish Police Smash Sex Trafficking Gang Which Used Black Magic on Victims
Forced marriage and "honour" based violence needs to be tackled globally https://t.co/73dghVBdfq
— IKWRO (@IKWRO) March 26, 2018
Recent figures released by Britain's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) which is jointly run by the Home Office, reveal nearly 1,200 cases of forced marriage was flagged up in 2017.
We can't allow #forcedmarriage to be a hidden crime. We have to dismantle the notion that it's about culture and tradition, we have to ensure that those who are at risk have the confidence to reach out and ensure the support is there for them.
— Alex (@Alex_ShafileaMG) May 21, 2018
