Friday, June 29, 2007

Magistrate walks out on "Shocked, Distressed Veil-Wearing-"

ZOOBIA HUSSEIN
(First off, I'd like to hear more about the charges against Zoobia.)

A magistrate refused to deal with a defendant wearing a veil it has been revealed.

At Manchester Magistrates Court Ian Murray walked out of the case because Zoobia Hussain, 32, of Crumpsall, was covered. Ms Hussain's lawyer, Judith Hawkins, said in a statement "She Hussain remains shocked and distressed.

"She feels that the court's treatment of her was insensitive, unacceptable and against the traditions of fairness and equality that we have come to expect from our system of justice.

"She is angry that, as a result of the ensuing publicity, she has now had to explain to her children what happened."

Hussain, was charged with criminal damage, covered her entire face apart from her eyes when she faced the magistrates. However, Mr Murray felt the veil raised identity issues and left the hearing without explaining why.

Mr. Murray attempts to cover his a&& with veiled apology.

The Judiciary of England and Wales said: "Mr Murray is concerned about questions of identity when the full veil is worn in court.

"However, he agrees that he acted unwisely in disqualifying himself without giving reasons, and acknowledges that he should have sought the advice of his legal advisor in court, and discussed the provisions of the national guidelines with his colleagues on the bench, before taking action.

"Mr Murray is supportive of those of different faiths and cultural traditions and acknowledges and regrets his action could be misinterpreted."

Hussain's case was dealt with immediately after Mr Murray withdrew and was adjourned until July 18.

I'd say see you in court Zoobia, but with you wearing that rig I don't think I will...

About Crumpsall

(from wICKipedia): The area came to unwanted national prominence in 2004 when Detective Constable Stephen Oake, a Greater Manchester Police officer was fatally stabbed whilst arresting a suspected terrorist in a house on Crumpsall Lane. DC Oake therefore became the first British national to be killed by terrorists in the "War on Terror" on UK soil, a tragic distinction.

Heaton Park on the borders of Crumpsall has been used as the location for the "Red Rec'" on Granada's Coronation Street. Additionally, the UK TV drama 'Queer as Folk' was partially filmed in the terraced streets off Cravenwood Road.

And from Manchester Online there's this about Crumpsall:

There was a well-publicised case of a girl who was tragically burnt to death by her teenage boyfriend, who was living in a hostel. A gangland stabbing in Crumpsall Park and the burning down of part of the Abraham Moss Centre were enough to send out very negative signals.

The Abraham Moss Centre not only burned at the hands of drunken teens it denied a two year old entrance to a swim class because she wasn't Muslim.