Blackburn family jailed over lesbian partner kidnap plot

Six members of the same family were sentenced at Preston Crown Court for their roles in the Blackburn attack.

Several members of a family who attempted to kidnap their sister’s gay partner have been imprisoned.

The attack, which occurred in June last year, was caught on CCTV in Blackburn near where Nazma Ditta’s partner worked.

Preston Crown Court heard the woman was walking down a town centre street when some of the sisters punched her and tried to bundle her into a car.

The prosecution called it a “brutal, planned group action”.

Tamoor Ditta, 26, admitted multiple charges including attempted kidnap and conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Aftah Ditta, 32, Ghazala Ditta, 31, and Nighat Morris, 39, were all given five years and four months in prison after admitting to attempted kidnap, robbery and conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm.

Tosif Ditta, 34, and Nayyar Mehmood, 38, were both locked up for three years and six months after admitting conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm.

Sign up for regular updates straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!

Sisters Aftah Ditta, Ghazala Ditta and Nighat Morris were captured on CCTV striking the victim and attempting to bundle her into a car parked in the street.
Sisters Aftah Ditta, Ghazala Ditta and Nighat Morris were captured on CCTV striking the victim and attempting to bundle her into a car parked in the street.

The court heard the attack was planned by the family on social media because they objected to the relationship and wanted their sister to go ahead with an arranged marriage.

Prosecutors said after Nazma left home to move in with her partner, she received a text from her brother saying: “I am dead to you, delete my number.”

The court heard during the assault in the town centre, one of the sisters told Nazma’s partner: “You’ve messed with the wrong Muslims, we’re going to kill you.”

She prevented herself from being dragged into the vehicle by holding on to the side of the car.

Det Sgt Mark Haworth-Oates said: “This has been a particularly difficulty case for the victim and her partner given the familial link.

“The family clearly worked together to plan this despicable offence that was guided by their feelings of misguided honour.”

Sophie Lorimer, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The defendants lay in wait for almost an hour before they managed to grab and attack the victim.

“Fortunately, due to the bravery of the victim, they did not succeed in the kidnap attempt as she found the strength to defend herself”.

Add your comments below

Previous articleLondon women charged with “terror offences” related to Syria
Next articleAnti-Muslim violence continues in Burmese state of Rakhine