ACCRINGTON MAN JAILED FOR FORCIBLY IMPRISONING HIS PARTNER
A man from Accrington who repeatedly confined his partner both at his home and barber shop has been sentenced to prison.Ibrar Ali, aged 37 and residing on Elizabeth Street, appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with one count of false imprisonment and one count of engaging in controlling and coercive behavior.
The allegations pertain to a period from April to August 2025 and relate to his former partner, whom he met in the summer of 2024.
Initially, Ali exhibited jealous tendencies by calling constantly and accused her of infidelity, which escalated into verbal abuse.
The victim struggled with substance dependence on drugs and alcohol, which Ali exploited by maintaining control over her as he continued to fund her addiction.
By March 2025, Ali’s behavior intensified.
He would instruct her to meet him at his residence or barber shop in Accrington, where they would consume alcohol and take drugs.
His actions turned violent, involving slapping, hitting, and strangulation.
In April, an incident occurred when they were inside the shop with the shutters down from early morning.
Prosecutor Tom Challinor explained, “The couple argued and became violent.
Ali destroyed the shop’s contents and threw an oil radiator at her head, strangling her until she couldn’t breathe.
She had managed to lock herself inside and secured the back door with wood.
A member of the public heard her shouting from behind the shutters.
She was hysterical, and he strangled and struck her with the radiator.
Police forced their way in, and she ran to a female officer for help.” Three months later, after the victim told Ali she no longer loved him, he caused damage to their home, strangled her again, and prevented her from leaving by locking the door and hiding the keys.
She eventually escaped through a hole in a window sealed with cardboard.
Another assault took place on August 27, when Ali pushed her into a mirror and cut her hair with scissors.
Mr.
Challinor added, “Ali pushed her into a mirror and strangled her by gripping her neck.
He also cut her hair with scissors.
She was once again locked inside but managed to escape through the back door and climbed over a wall.” The victim’s personal statement revealed that Ali’s actions made her feel depressed and anxious, resulting in night terrors.
She described herself as Ali’s “play toy.” Judge Guy Mathieson remarked, “You controlled her through violence and threats, treating her like property and reducing her to such a state that she contemplated taking her own life.
No one should feel that desperate because of someone else.” Defense attorney Philip Turner noted that Ali was a different person when sober and posed a low risk of reoffending.
Ali pleaded guilty on the second day of the trial.
He received a sentence of three years and four months in prison, along with a restraining order until further notice.
