Two teachers at a Birmingham Islamic centre beat a 10-year-old pupil so badly he started losing his hair with worry, a court has heard.
Mohammed Siddique, a 60-year-old imam, and his 24-year-old son, Mohammed Waqar, punished the boy for perceived shortcomings in efforts during religious lessons, including study of the Qur’an.
The two are due to be sentenced on Thursday at Birmingham crown court after admitting wilful cruelty.
Sam Forsyth, prosecuting, said their victim had been beaten with a plastic stick and given back-of-the-hand slaps by each of his tutors for “talking in the classroom” at the centre. He was hit during four separate incidents; photographs showed “extensive” bruising to the back of his legs. The boy also said Waqar would call him names including “paedo”.
Reading a victim impact statement, Forsyth said: “He describes how this has had a great effect on him, causing him to lose hair as he was getting very stressed.
“When he was bruised he would try and hide them with clothing even in very hot weather and make excuses not to go to the centre, such as having tummy ache. He would get very upset about small things.”
Judge Mark Wall QC adjourned the hearing to read pre-sentence reports recommending the pair receive suspended jail terms. Their barrister, Charanjit Jutla, said both were of good character who deeply regretted their conduct.
He added: “Past students and other professionals speak exceptionally highly of both defendants.”
Siddique has been teaching for 30 years. Outside court, worshippers from his local mosque said he was “a polite gentleman”.
Nowroz Uddin, who has known him 25 years and was in court to hear the case, said: “We’re all in shock. Pray behind him at mosque. I have never heard a bad word said about Mr Siddique, he’s always been a polite gentleman.”
Siddique and Waqar are both from Tyseley, Birmingham.
