Man who punched partner in the face claims cultural rights before court

MAN WHO PUNCHED PARTNER IN THE FACE CLAIMS CULTURAL RIGHTS BEFORE COURT

A man known as Chaudhry Mahmood was involved in an assault at Wellhome Park in Brighouse on May 9.

During the incident, he punched his former sister-in-law in the face while they were arguing amidst family tensions.

Witnesses saw Mahmood strike his partner, causing her to move away.

When approached by a Good Samaritan, the witness took photographs and called the police.

Mahmood then sat in the passenger seat of a car that his partner entered, following a heated exchange.

Initially, Mahmood told police that his actions were acceptable within his culture, claiming it was an Asian custom to use an open hand to the back of the head to silence someone.

He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to assault by beating in Kirklees Magistrates' Court.

The court was told that Mahmood, of Ravensthorpe, had an ongoing history of family harassment, and the victim of the assault declined to provide a police statement.

Mahmood acknowledged that his actions went beyond self-defense, admitting to retaliating "and accepting he's gone beyond any kind of self-defence." He stated he regrets his behavior, describing it as a "momentary incident," and explained that the couple's relationship was strained due to family disapproval after they started seeing each other.

Magistrates sentenced him to an £80 fine, ordered him to pay £85 in prosecution costs, and a £30 victim surcharge.

The case was considered aggravated because it occurred in a public place and witnesses would have been disturbed by the assault.