A Birmingham family has been left “broken and embarrassed” after a father and son launched a violent attack on a relative in his own home.
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, it was revealed that 51-year-old Mohammed Karim forcefully entered his brother-in-law’s home in Small Heath and began assaulting him with punches and kicks. His 22-year-old son, Mohammed Roshan Arif, joined the attack and placed the victim in a chokehold.
Both men were found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with Arif also convicted of intentional strangulation. They were sentenced on 26 June to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work along with up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity. A restraining order was also issued, preventing them from contacting the victim until 2033.
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The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, described the lasting effects of the assault on his physical and mental wellbeing. He reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including flashbacks and panic attacks, and said he had lived in fear since the attack in August 2023. He also revealed he had experienced a severe depressive state.
“My mother and I are held in high regard within the community, and in the 55 years or more that my mother has lived in the United Kingdom, she has never experienced such violence,” the victim said.
The attack unfolded in the victim’s home and was witnessed by his elderly mother. It was reportedly triggered by accusations that Arif had stolen money from the household. The incident was further exacerbated when bystanders and family members recorded it on their phones and shared it on social media.
The victim spoke about the humiliation and damage caused, expressing that the incident had shattered relationships and brought embarrassment within their community.
He also shared that the assault had severely impacted his personal life, contributing to the breakdown of his marriage. The victim explained that his way of life had been permanently altered, with a heightened fear of going out in public, attending work, and interacting with others.
“I’m always watching my back in the shops and supermarkets,” he added, highlighting the ongoing anxiety caused by the attack.
This case has underscored the devastating effects that domestic violence can have not only on the immediate victims but also on wider family relationships and community ties.