CPS 'considering options' in assault case

THE Crown Prosecution Service has said it is "considering options" in the case of a cricketer spared jail after he admitted beating his wife.

Oldham player Mustafa Bashir (34) was given a suspended sentence at Manchester Crown Court for assaulting Fakhara Karim.

Judge Richard Mansell QC has been criticised by domestic abuse campaigners after he reportedly said Miss Karim was not vulnerable because she was intelligent.

According to reports, the court was told that if Bashir was spared custody he would be employed as a professional player by Leicestershire County Cricket Club. However, the claims were denied by the club. A statement on its website said: "The club have never spoken to Mustafa Bashir or an agent, nor offered a contract to the player."

Asked whether the CPS would apply for a review of the case following the cricket club's statement, a spokesman for the service said: "We are aware of recent developments relating to this case and are considering our options."

Bashir was said to have beaten his wife with a cricket bat and forced her to drink bleach.

Sentencing, Judge Mansell QC reportedly said he was not convinced Miss Karim was a vulnerable person as she was "plainly intelligent", having graduated from university with a 2:1, and had a network of friends.

Shocking

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said: "Judge Mansell's comments show a shocking ignorance around the impact of domestic violence on women."

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and Interim Mayor, said he would write to the Attorney General and Justice Secretary Liz Truss to ask for the case to be reviewed.

He said: "I call on the Attorney General to review this case and restore public faith in our criminal justice system and bring hope to victims."

Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid, said: "The horrific assaults and controlling behaviour that Fakhara Karim endured are completely unacceptable; and a softer sentence on the basis that 'she is not a vulnerable woman' is shocking."

Maria Miller, the Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee chairman, said she had also written to Attorney General Jeremy Wright about the case.

Bashir was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, destroying or damaging property and using a destructive substance with intent to maim. A restraining order was imposed indefinitely.