NOTTINGHAM MAN GETS SUSPENDED JAIL FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
A Nottingham man, Waheed Barakzai, assaulted his partner by climbing on top of her and punching her repeatedly before instructing her not to contact the police.The woman was lying in bed when the attack occurred; afterward, Barakzai stripped her naked in an effort to eliminate evidence and took her mobile phone.
Fearing further contact, she now prefers to travel in taxis rather than on foot.
She is comforted by a court order banning him from any form of communication for five years.
A judge sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and expressed that domestic violence is a serious matter.
Judge Rafferty KC remarked on the betrayal involved in abusing someone in their own home who is supposed to be loved, noting Barakzai’s background as an immigrant from Afghanistan.
He explained that the violence stemmed from a minor trigger—Barakzai's overreaction to a noise he thought alarmed someone downstairs, which led him to lose control and strike her multiple times.
Instead of comforting her, he forced her to undress to clean up and warned her against telling the police.
The judge pointed out that, although Barakzai may have had trauma from his homeland, unacceptable conduct in the UK cannot be justified.
Prosecutor Steven Taylor added that Barakzai and the victim, who met at school and had an on-and-off relationship, had recently returned from a holiday in Mallorca prior to the incident.
After waking early, Barakzai questioned her about being downstairs, and after she denied it, he assaulted her, hitting her multiple times.
She escaped to the bathroom, was forced to remove her clothes, and her phone was confiscated while he threatened her.
She called her mother for help, and she was advised to call an ambulance.
The woman later stated that she now avoids walking alone due to her fear of encountering Barakzai.
The defendant, who had no previous convictions, admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm.
He was ordered to undertake 20 rehabilitation sessions and is subject to a five-year restraining order for the victim’s protection.
