UK's First Child Marriage Conviction: Imam Sentenced

A Muslim cleric who officiated over a wedding ceremony involving two underage teenage children has been sentenced in the first case of its kind under new legislation banning child marriage in England and Wales. Ashraf Osmani, 52, carried out a Nikah ceremony - a form of marriage under Islamic law - at Northampton’s Central Mosque ‘marrying’ two 16-year-old children despite the legal age rising to 18 earlier that year. The case came to light after safeguarding concerns about the relationship were reported to Northamptonshire Police. The cleric was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying out conduct for the purpose of causing a child to enter into a marriage, contrary to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act as amended by the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022. Appearing before Northampton Crown Court the faith leader today avoided jail and was given a sentence of 15 weeks' imprisonment in relation to the female victim and 12 weeks' imprisonment in relation to the male victim, both suspended for one year and to run concurrently. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Chilling grooming gang warning as 'every girl in Britain now at risk' Read more: Taxi drivers working as military-style surveillance units for UK grooming gangs He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and £150 court costs. Reporting restrictions are in place to prevent the identification of the victims for their lifetimes. Samantha Shallow, a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said: “This prosecution enforces new legislation brought in to protect young people. Although the young people involved requested this ceremony, it is unlawful to conduct any form of binding marriage ceremony on people under the age of 18. “Ashraf Osmani claimed he was unaware of the change in legislation, but as a significant figure in his faith community, it was his responsibility to be aware of and abide by the law. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “His failure to do so was a criminal act and this prosecution was required to protect young, vulnerable people.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The two young people at the centre of this case are understood to have been in a consensual relationship and police say there was no forced element or coercion involved. But a CPS spokesperson said: “More broadly, victims of forced marriage often face threats, coercion, and violence, sometimes from members of their own family or community, which can make it incredibly difficult to recognise themselves as victims or report what is happening. “Our prosecutors are specially trained in ‘honour’-based abuse and understand the complex dynamics involved. “They know how to prosecute these crimes robustly and sensitively, working closely with police and other partners, both nationally and overseas, to ensure victims are protected and perpetrators held accountable. Jaswant Narwal, Crown Prosecution Service national lead for ‘honour’-based abuse, said: “This conviction sends a clear message: child marriage is illegal in England and Wales, no matter the circumstances. “We know many ‘honour’-based offences remain shrouded in secrecy but we are determined to bring them to light and hold offenders to account. Anyone thinking of coming forward should know we will support you, the law will protect you and we will pursue justice relentlessly.” Payzee Mahmod campaigned to raise the legal marriage age in England and Wales after enduring child marriage herself. The day's biggest headlines in UK and World news Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Get More of Our News on Google Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Her experience underscores the importance of protecting young people from early marriage. She said: “As a survivor of child marriage who has campaigned for years to raise the legal marriage age, I know first-hand the lasting impact that early marriage can leave, emotionally, physically, and socially. “Today’s sentence is a vital reminder that the justice system must continue to prioritise the protection of children and hold those who exploit them to account. “We must also recognise that prosecutions in cases like this depend on robust data, from the police flagging honour-based abuse and forced marriage, to the Crown Prosecution Service using that data to identify trends and bring cases forward. “Only by collecting and analysing the right information can we ensure these crimes don’t go unpunished, and that survivors’ stories are not dismissed or overlooked. “I commend the CPS for today’s outcome, but we must not let this be the exception. We need sustained commitment to bring more perpetrators to justice, and to prevent child marriages in the first place.” The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 came into force on 27 February 2023, making it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to marry in England and Wales. This means 16- and 17-year-olds can no longer marry or enter a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent. This case is the first of its kind since the new legislation came into force. The latest CPS data shows a total number of 25 cases - 41 charged offences overall - of forced marriage have commenced and reached a first hearing at magistrates’ court since forced marriage became an offence in 2015.