This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/10/islamic-centre-teachers-jailed-beat-boy-birmingham

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Islamic centre teachers jailed for a year for beating 10-year-old Islamic centre teachers jailed for a year for beating 10-year-old
(35 minutes later)
Two teachers at a Birmingham Islamic centre who beat a 10-year-old pupil have each been jailed for a year.Two teachers at a Birmingham Islamic centre who beat a 10-year-old pupil have each been jailed for a year.
Mohammed Siddique, a 60-year-old imam, and his 24-year-old son, Mohammed Waqar, punished the boy for perceived shortcomings during religious lessons, including study of the Qur’an.Mohammed Siddique, a 60-year-old imam, and his 24-year-old son, Mohammed Waqar, punished the boy for perceived shortcomings during religious lessons, including study of the Qur’an.
Birmingham crown court heard that the pair beat the boy on two occasions each and he suffered extensive bruising. He was too ashamed to tell his family what had happened but an investigation began after the child eventually confided in a learning mentor at his school. Birmingham crown court heard that the pair beat the boy on two occasions each and he suffered extensive bruising. He was too ashamed to tell his family what had happened but an investigation began after the child eventually confided to a learning mentor at his school.
Judge Mark Wall QC told the pair he had considered suspending the jail term but “it would not be right to do so”. He said a message must be sent that such brutality – which included using a plastic stick – could not be tolerated. Judge Mark Wall QC told the pair he had considered suspending the prison term but concluded “it would not be right to do so”. He said a message had to be sent that such brutality – which included using a plastic rod – could not be tolerated.
He added: “This is not a case where you each overreacted only once to provocation, neither is it a case in which you misunderstood what constitutes proper punishment and therefore requires some guidance from probation services as to where that boundary lies.He added: “This is not a case where you each overreacted only once to provocation, neither is it a case in which you misunderstood what constitutes proper punishment and therefore requires some guidance from probation services as to where that boundary lies.
“Added to that, there must be no mistake about the message taken from this case. Acts of brutality of this sort which you each indulged in, with a stick, will not be tolerated.”“Added to that, there must be no mistake about the message taken from this case. Acts of brutality of this sort which you each indulged in, with a stick, will not be tolerated.”
The two admitted wilful cruelty to the boy during lessons at the Sparkbrook Islamic centre, attached to the Jamia Mosque, in Anderton Road, Birmingham. The two admitted wilful cruelty to the boy during lessons at the Sparkbrook Islamic centre, attached to the Jamia mosque, in Anderton Road, Birmingham.
Sam Forsyth, prosecuting, said their victim had been beaten with a plastic stick and given back-of-the-hand slaps by each of his tutors for “talking in the classroom” at the centre. He was hit during four separate incidents; photographs showed extensive bruising to the back of his legs. The boy also said Waqar would call him names including “paedo”.Sam Forsyth, prosecuting, said their victim had been beaten with a plastic stick and given back-of-the-hand slaps by each of his tutors for “talking in the classroom” at the centre. He was hit during four separate incidents; photographs showed extensive bruising to the back of his legs. The boy also said Waqar would call him names including “paedo”.
Reading a victim impact statement, Forsyth said: “He describes how this has had a great effect on him, causing him to lose hair as he was getting very stressed. When he was bruised he would try and hide them with clothing even in very hot weather and make excuses not to go to the centre, such as having tummy ache. He would get very upset about small things.” Reading a victim-impact statement, Forsyth said: “He describes how this has had a great effect on him, causing him to lose hair as he was getting very stressed. When he was bruised he would try and hide them with clothing even in very hot weather and make excuses not to go to the centre, such as having tummy ache. He would get very upset about small things.”
Wall told the men: “The use of a weapon with which to hit a 10-year-old is, and was known by you both, to be wholly unacceptable in this day and age.”Wall told the men: “The use of a weapon with which to hit a 10-year-old is, and was known by you both, to be wholly unacceptable in this day and age.”
He added: “You each assaulted him twice, once each by slapping him with your hands, and once each by hitting him with what has been described as a plastic stick. In all you’re responsible for four separate assaults on him. These assaults would follow on from him talking in class or failing to read the Qur’an accurately. He added: “You each assaulted him twice, once each by slapping him with your hands, and once each by hitting him with what has been described as a plastic stick. In all, you’re responsible for four separate assaults on him. These assaults would follow on from him talking in class or failing to read the Qur’an accurately.
“These assaults were committed by you in breach of a significant degree of trust placed in you by his parents and those who run the school. That you each assaulted him twice, in similar ways, leads me to conclude that between you, you must have decided this was an appropriate way to act towards recalcitrant children.“These assaults were committed by you in breach of a significant degree of trust placed in you by his parents and those who run the school. That you each assaulted him twice, in similar ways, leads me to conclude that between you, you must have decided this was an appropriate way to act towards recalcitrant children.
“These were not assaults committed in ignorance of how inappropriate it was to use corporal punishment such as this.”“These were not assaults committed in ignorance of how inappropriate it was to use corporal punishment such as this.”
The judge praised the boy for having “found the courage” to tell someone about the attack, triggering a police inquiry and bringing his ordeal to an end. The judge praised the boy for having found the courage to tell someone about the attack, triggering a police inquiry and bringing his ordeal to an end.
The pair’s barrister, Charanjit Jutla, said both were of good character who deeply regretted their conduct. He added: “Past students and other professionals speak exceptionally highly of both defendants.” The pair’s barrister, Charanjit Jutla, said both men were of good character and deeply regretted their conduct. He added: “Past students and other professionals speak exceptionally highly of both defendants.”
Siddique had been teaching for 30 years. Outside court, worshippers from his local mosque said he was “a polite gentleman”.Siddique had been teaching for 30 years. Outside court, worshippers from his local mosque said he was “a polite gentleman”.
Nowroz Uddin, who has known him 25 years and was in court to hear the case, said: “We’re all in shock. Pray behind him at mosque. I have never heard a bad word said about Mr Siddique, he’s always been a polite gentleman.” Nowroz Uddin, who has known him 25 years and was in court to hear the case, said: “We’re all in shock. Pray behind him at mosque. I have never heard a bad word said about Mr Siddique; he’s always been a polite gentleman.”
Miah Khan, a former pupil, said: “I studied there for 10 years, and he [Siddique] was my teacher, so this is quite a shock. There were times when I mucked about and he shouted at me, but I never saw him hit me or another boy in the class.”Miah Khan, a former pupil, said: “I studied there for 10 years, and he [Siddique] was my teacher, so this is quite a shock. There were times when I mucked about and he shouted at me, but I never saw him hit me or another boy in the class.”
A restraining order was made banning either man, who are from Tyseley, Birmingham, from contact with the victim. The judge said he had no doubt the “relevant authorities” would make an order barring the men from teaching in the future.A restraining order was made banning either man, who are from Tyseley, Birmingham, from contact with the victim. The judge said he had no doubt the “relevant authorities” would make an order barring the men from teaching in the future.
The case is likely to be seized on by those who believe that there needs to be more outside control and monitoring of religious schools including so-called madrasas. The case is likely to be seized on by those who believe that there needs to be more outside control and monitoring of religious schools including madrasas.
In May last year it was reported that a voluntary code of conduct to regulate teaching in madrasas in Britain was about to be announced by the government. That plan did not come to fruition.In May last year it was reported that a voluntary code of conduct to regulate teaching in madrasas in Britain was about to be announced by the government. That plan did not come to fruition.