Community order for man who held knife to wife's throat (From Watford Observer)

Community order for man who held knife to wife's throat

5:20pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Court Reporter

A man who held a knife to his wife's neck during an argument has been given an 18 month supervision order.

Ashfaq Shah, 37, grabbed the kitchen knife and threatened her as they rowed.

At the time, Shah was living apart from his wife Shabina Kuesar because of marriage problems and had come to visit her at the home in Queen Mary's Avenue, Watford.

At St Albans crown court today Shah admitted an offence of affray when he appeared for sentence.

The court heard the incident took place in the kitchen of the home on December 23 last year.

At the time, Shah had moved out but would visit his wife.

Jeffrey Porter prosecuting said in fact police didn't find out about the incident until New Year's Day when the wife called officers to her home following another argument.

Judge Stephen Warner was told Shah, who is deaf and communicates through sign language, had come to this country from Pakistan in 1999. He has received two police cautions for previous attacks on his wife when he had punched and kicked her.

Their marriage was described in court as having its "ups and downs".

Judge Warner was told that since the incident the couple had made up and wanted a reconciliation.

Passing sentence, Judge Warner told Shah "domestic violence is an ugly and unacceptable form of offending".

He sentenced him to an 18 month community order, during which time he will be under the supervision of the probation service.