Mother charged with coercive control for 'blocking daughter from having a social life'
A mother has been charged with coercive control of her 18-year-old daughter after allegedly allowing her to be beaten up in a campaign of “honour-based abuse”, a court has heard.
Yasmin Shinwary, 42, is accused of forcing daughter Fatima to “obey” her commands, controlling her movements, and blocking her from speaking to friends and enjoying a social life.
It is said she and husband Burhanullah Shinwary, 46, both assaulted their daughter when she went to the high street to celebrate the last day of college with friends.
The couple, who live in Feltham, have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while Ms Shinwary is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a family relationship.
Prosecutor Niamh McDonagh said the offences allegedly took place “in a domestic context” during the course of “honour-based abuse”.
“The victim is Ms Shinwary’s daughter, and Ms Shinwary’s husband - the victim’s father - is also charged”, she told Uxbridge magistrates court on Monday.
“Over a number of years, Ms Shinwary has carried out coercive and controlling behaviour towards her.”
The couple, who moved to the UK from Afghanistan, were arrested and charged after an incident on June 27 when their daughter had “gone to the high street in Hounslow with friends to celebrate the last day of college”.
Later in the day, Ms Shinwary is accused of assaulting her daughter by grabbing her on the arm, and the mother is accused of standing by as her husband then allegedly attacked Fatima, leaving her with injuries to her face and hands.
“The victim says she was repeatedly denied access to her friends or any sort of social life”, said Ms McDonagh.
“They demanded to know where she is, what she is doing, with who and when.”
She claims she “was repeatedly controlled and denied independence outside the family unit”.
Mr Shinwary appeared in court on Saturday and was remanded in custody on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Two days later, his wife was in the dock where she pleaded not guilty to charges of coercive control and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“I did not do these things”, she said.
As she was remanded in custody, Ms Shinwary – speaking through an interpreter – tearfully said to the court: “I’m going to die in prison. Could you send me somewhere else?”
The couple are due to appear together at Isleworth crown court for a pre-trial hearing on July 29.
