Liz McInnes calls judge’s decision to spare Mustafa Bashir jail ‘appalling’

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has called a judge’s decision to spare violent and controlling abuser Mustafa Bashir jail, because he didn’t believe the victim was vulnerable, "appalling".

Bashir, 34, of Hebers Court in Middleton, admitted attacking his then wife with a cricket bat and he also forced bleach and pills into Fakhara Karim's mouth, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Judge Richard Mansell said Ms Karim was not vulnerable as she was "an intelligent woman with a network of friends" and a degree.

The judge spared Bashir jail, passing an 18-month jail term suspended for two years.

Ms McInnes said: “It is an appalling decision not to jail Mustafa Bashir. He treated his wife despicably, forcing her to drink bleach, throttling her in public, and beating her with a cricket bat. To leave him free on the streets sends the message that this sort of abuse is somehow excusable in certain circumstances and it absolutely is not.

“Bashir claimed in court that he was about to sign a professional cricket contract with Leicestershire, though they are denying any knowledge of this, but this shouldn’t matter in any way.

“Surely the well being of the victim and the fact that justice needs to be done and be seen to be done should be considered before the well being of the attacker?

“I fully support calls for the attorney general to review this judgement.”

Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has called for the attorney general to review the case, slamming the judge’s comments that ‘he didn’t believe the victim was vulnerable’.

Mr Lloyd said: “It is astonishing that in this day in age, a member of our judiciary can come out with comments that are not only dangerous but are ignorant and perpetuate the myths and misconceptions that in Greater Manchester we have worked so hard to break.

“Very few of us will agree with the judge’s comments around the vulnerability of the victim. All of us are vulnerable at some point in our lives and anyone can become a victim of abuse- men and women. Domestic abuse does not discriminate and neither should the criminal justice system.

“This man subjected his wife to a life of torment, fear and violence, the scars of which will be with her for a very long time to come. Justice must be done, and must be seen to be done- and in this case justice has failed.

“I call on the Attorney General to urgently review this case and restore public faith in our criminal justice system and bring hope to victims.”

Mr Lloyd is writing to the Attorney General and the Justice Secretary Liz Truss calling on them to review the case and address the comments made by Judge Richard Mansell.

In a statement on their website, Leicestershire County Cricket Club said: “The club are bemused by these stories. Any references to Mustafa Bashir signing or being approached to sign for Leicestershire County Cricket Club are completely false. The club have never spoken to Mustafa Bashir or an agent, nor offered a contract to the player.”

Appearing before Judge Richard Mansell QC at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (27 March), Bashir pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).

He received a suspended sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment (suspended for two years). Requirements of this include supervision for 18 months and taking part in a Building Better Relations programme.

He was also ordered to pay £100 surcharge to the victim and £1,000 to the prosecution.