A taxi driver who subjected his wife to physical abuse, including whipping her with a belt and strangling her, has been spared jail time. Sorif Uddin, 28, was sentenced to a two-year prison term, suspended for three years, at Birmingham Crown Court. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a "skills for relationships toolkit."
Uddin pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation. The court heard that the couple met on Instagram in 2019, and they entered into an Islamic marriage in August 2023. Shortly after the wedding, Uddin began verbally abusing his wife, calling her a "mistake" and a "street girl" not good enough for him.
The first physical assault occurred in January 2024, during an argument about washing clothes. Uddin used a belt from his trousers to whip his wife while verbally abusing her. The victim sustained defensive injuries to her hands and recorded some of the incident on her phone. During the assault, Uddin's words, translated in court, included: "Are you abiding by my rule? Hey daughter of animal are you abiding by my rule?"
Later that year, Uddin again assaulted his wife, grabbing her by the throat and strangling her for at least ten seconds. The victim reported struggling to breathe during the incident. In October 2024, the victim called emergency services, and police forced entry into their home, where they found her in distress. She disclosed the abuse to the responding officers.
In a statement to the court, the victim stated that the abuse had left her feeling suicidal, depressed, and anxious, experiencing sleepless nights and heart palpitations. Uddin initially denied the allegations, claiming his wife had a short temper and was fabricating complaints for legal status in the UK.
Mitigating on Uddin's behalf, his lawyer stated that he felt ashamed and remorseful. Uddin has since lost his job as a taxi driver, as he was unable to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. He is described as a key support for his mother and sisters and has his own health difficulties.
Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne acknowledged the seriousness of Uddin's behavior, noting the exceptional distress caused. The judge stated that imprisonment would not address Uddin's underlying issues and that rehabilitation was possible outside of jail. Uddin has been banned from contacting the victim for seven years through a restraining order. He was pictured at court during the proceedings.