Advertisement
Brute loses appeal over vicious attack
Reporter: COURT REPORTER
Date online: 20 January 2010
An Oldham man who brutally attacked a woman outside a nightclub, kicking her in the head as she lay helpless on the ground, has failed to win a cut in his sentence on appeal.
Azhar Iqbal (25), received a total two-year term at Manchester Crown Court last August after admitting affray in relation to the February, 2009, attack in Market Street, Stalybridge.
The sentence included the activation of a previous suspended sentence imposed for common assault and witness intimidation against his 16-year girl friend.
Lord Justice Pitchford, sitting in London’s Appeal Court with Mr Justice Owen and Judge Peter Beaumont QC, said the attack on Sarah Holden represented a “serious escalation” in his offending towards females.
Miss Holden was attacked by Iqbal and an accomplice as she tried to get into a cab following a late-night confrontation outside the club.
Iqbal’s accomplice pushed her against a wall and Iqbal kicked her three times as she tried to protect herself while helpless on the ground.
“He was about to kick her a fourth time when he was prevented by others,” the judge added. His previous offence of common assault and witness intimidation stemmed from an incident in March, 2007, in which he kicked his teenage girl friend after dragging her to the ground.
Iqbal, of Savoy Street, challenged his sentence on grounds that it was too severe, but had his case rejected.
Given his violent record and the brutality of his attack on Miss Holden, there was nothing excessive about Iqbal’s sentence, the judge concluded.
Comments
This country's justice system is a joke. How can a violent thug with previous convictions be allowed to appeal a sentence which, to most people, is manifestly too lenient let alone too severe! The extremely dangerous but seemingly ubiquitous brutal act of kicking somebody in the head should warrant a mandatory sentence of at least five years.
2 1/2 yrs another joke on the victim, but what do we expect from labour
What a hero, can only beat up women, good job she did not have a hand-bag he might have filled his pants!
This animal should have been given an increased sentence - its risible that he could get away so lightly.
Another waste of tax payers money. 3 judges at what cost to us to uphold a lenient sentence. If a person appeals and loses he should be liable for all costs incured. Whilst an increase in the sentence should also be considered!
So much for a person who comes from a culture who respect their women?
Apart from the implied cultural difference there is a significant difference in their ages. What is a sixteen year old girl doing mixing with a man of that age; and where are the supportive adults in her life? No doubt we will read about this man in the future.
eet...His background might be a from a culture that respects women, but his age, going to nightclubs and his having a girlfriend suggest he has done exactly what you all ask for, he has well and truly "integrated". Why are you now complaining?
oversees- Have a look at the DV statistics, "anglo-saxons" are well represented.
Have Your Say
Two year jail term for a serial offender? He should be serving 10 years. What shameful cowardly acts on females. I suppose the silly 16 year old girlfriend will wait for his release though. He is probably a "tough guy" in her eyes, assaulting females. I wonder what his and her parents think?
By timberwolf @ 20/01/2010 12:49:53