A Northampton imam has dodged jail after illegally marrying off two 16-year-olds.
Illicit Nikah Ceremony at Central Mosque
Ashraf Osmani, 52, of Abington Avenue, admitted to conducting a forbidden Nikah marriage last November. The ceremony involved two minors and took place at Northampton’s Central Mosque, where Osmani was serving as imam.
Suspended Sentence and Stark Warning
On 19 January, Osmani faced Northampton Crown Court. He was sentenced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, updated by the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022.
The Honourable Mr Justice Choudhury slapped Osmani with a 15-week prison term – suspended for one year. The judge slammed his actions as “negligent” and warned: “Whilst this was a mistake, it was a serious one. You ought to have known the law had changed.”
