Ilyas Ashar, 83, and his wife, Tallat Ashar, 66, deny charges of false imprisonment, human trafficking, sexual offences, violence and benefit fraud.Now, it might just be that they are keeping their powder dry, so to speak, and waiting to see which way the verdict goes.
But given the fuss the Poppy Project made when their funding dried up, you'd think they might make a bit more of it, wouldn't you?
And perhaps the Met might start to wonder if they've been targeting the right targets (did that letter ever get sent, I wonder?)...
Still, whichever way the verdict goes, I'm sure it'll be another money-making opportunity for Phillippa Kaufmann!
I'd guess that if somebody is up on a criminal charge and happens to be claiming benefits, then the chances are he's committing benefit fraud as well, so it's good to see that charge being tacked on, even though it has nothing to do with the main offences.
ReplyDeleteAll the ingredients are there ..
ReplyDeleteThese are people of colour who are oppressed in this country and we should respect their quaint third world ways and customs.
ReplyDeleteAnd any one who says otherwise is a dweadful waycist.
(c) All leftards everywhere.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI think the benefit fraud is relevant, given that they were, according to the prosecution, claiming benefits in the girl's name:
"She was exploited economically in that benefits, state benefits in this country, were obtained in her name, the money being kept by the Ashars."
"... so it's good to see that charge being tacked on, even though it has nothing to do with the main offences."
ReplyDeleteSadly, as SE points out, it does indeed appear to have something to do with it.