19-Year-Old 'Lured' and Abducted by Shamed Family...

A teenager, who had broken away from her family, was bundled into a car from a Bradford street and kept at a house by relatives, a Court heard.

Tanzeela Hanif, then 19, was lured to the city centre before being taken to Blackburn, Lancashire, where she was made to take a pregnancy test.

Bradford Crown Court was told the family, led by eldest brother Sajid Hanif, had acted out of concern for their sister’s well-being, but had gone too far.

Five members of her family and a close friend were sentenced yesterday.

Judge Peter Benson said relatives had genuine concerns for Tanzeela and reported her missing.

He told brothers Sajid and Wajid Hanif: “It was clear to you she had taken a conscious decision to stay clear of the family influence.

Whether that was wise on her part was immaterial because at the age of 19 she has a right to choose her way of life.

“It is not for you, for whatever motives, to plan to lure her into a meeting by false pretences.”

Sajid Hanif, 35, and his 29-year-old wife Sheena, both of Darwen, Lancashire, and Wajid Hanif, 33, and Lee Gilligan, 23, of Blackburn, pleaded guilty to affray at a previous hearing. Lubna Hanif, 29, a solicitor, and Asim Hanif, 24, also of Blackburn, admitted threatening behaviour.

All six had originally been charged with kidnap and at an earlier hearing Judge Benson had expressed concerns about the pleas accepted.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said Tanzeela, the youngest child, had been living at a women’s refuge in Bradford at the time of the incident last July.

He said the family devised a plan to bring her back home, which involved someone ringing her and impersonating a police officer and persuading her to meet in Bank Street, Bradford. The family drove to Bradford in two cars.

Mr Sharp said Sheena told the 19-year-old: “This is what I have to do, Tanzeela. You have to go home.” Sajid was behind her waving his fist.

Gilligan, Lubna and Asim were also present, and the teenager was bundled into one of the cars and driven to Blackburn where she was taken to an empty house owned by Lubna. Witnesses alerted police.

Mr Sharp said Tanzeela was subjected to further violence, primarily by Sajid. She suffered bleeding when the car door closed on her fingers. Inside the house he punched her in the face.

Gilligan and Asim bought a pregnancy test kit and the victim was required to use it in the presence of Sheena. Wajid joined in the abuse, picking up a hammer and threatening to kill her.

Tanzeela described herself as being numb with fear and said Sajid was shouting about shame and family honour. Mr Sharp said Sheena took a stand and took Tanzeela to her home.

John Hargan, for Sajid, said it was not an honour-based case. He was deeply ashamed and had gone about protecting his sister in the wrong way.

Philip Andrews, for Wajid, said there was hope they would be reconciled with Tanzeela.

Jailing Sajid for 21 months, Judge Benson said he had treated his sister with deliberate cruelty and used gratuitous violence.

He said Wajid’s conduct was disgraceful and cowardly and jailed him for 12 months.

Gilligan was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years, with 12 months’ supervision and 100 hours’ unpaid work;

Sheena was given a four-month sentence suspended for two years and 12 months’ supervision; Lubna was given a 12-month Community Order with 120 hours’ unpaid work and Asim a similar order with 80 hours’ unpaid work.