A mum-of-nine who launched a 'revenge attack' on her sister-in-law at a wedding has been put on an electronic tag.
Halima Ahmed, aged 55, from London got into a row with her in-law Zainab Ahmed, 57, on June 16, 2019 at Bia Lounge Wedding Hall on Golden Hillock Road, having originally fallen out in 2016, reports Birmingham Live.
Zainab is said to have struck first and thrown a biscuit but in retaliation, Halima launched a flask of coffee, which missed, before then tossing a plate at her sister-in-law's face, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Zainab was left with a serious injury to her arm when she used it to block the plate, resulting in a deep cut to her muscle, and is now left disabled. Following a trial Halima was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but she had already admitted an offence of unlawful wounding.
On Friday, April 28, Halima was spared immediate imprisonment by Judge Paul Farrer, because of her poor physical health and also because jail time would have had a significant impact on her two remaining 'dependent' children. Instead she was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, but it was ruled she would also have a 16-week electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am.
In an emotional statement, Zainab said: "I used to be a person who had two hands and I have become a person who has use of only one hand."
The woman detailed the lasting impact of her injuries, including pain, numbness, sleepless nights and an aversion to heat. The mother also listed the things she now struggles to do, including washing, cooking, gardening, looking after her daughter and caring for her elderly mother.
Summing the case up Judge Farrer said: "You and Zainab Ahmed were sisters-in-law and at one time had been close friends. That changed in 2016 when you and she had a falling out.
"The details are in dispute but in my judgement, they simply don't matter. It's clear from that time onwards there was ill-feeling between you and you ignored one another as and when you met at family events.
"Against that background on June 16, 2019, you both attended a wedding reception in Birmingham. Something happened between you and it's common ground you both ended up swearing at one another."
He added: "Following that exchange Zainab threw a biscuit at you and you responded by throwing a flask of coffee at her. You denied doing that at your trial but you acknowledged the truth of this to a probation officer. Zainab managed to avoid being struck by the flask whereupon you picked up a plate and threw it at her face.
"She reacted to that by raising her left arm and thereby successfully deflected the plate away. In consequence, she suffered a deep and extensive laceration to her arm."
The judge stated Zainab had been left with a 'large and conspicuous' scar as well as 'significant and ongoing disability to her left arm'. He concluded: "Zainab threw a biscuit at you. Plainly there was no element of self-defence from you to that happening. Instead, you reacted in anger and essentially launched a revenge attack."
James Dunstan, defending, stated Halima 'mistakenly interpreted the situation' by thinking Zainab was intent on attacking her after she threw the biscuit.
He added: "Halima is truly sorry for her unlawful actions. She continues to consider Zainab as her sister or like her sister. It's clear she was defending herself from a position of remorse."
Halima was also handed a seven-year restraining order banning her from direct contact with Zainab, and ordered to pay £535 costs.
Judge Farrer did not award any compensation after enquiring with Zainab who, via an interpreter, said: "I don't don't want to take money from her pocket."
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