A BRADFORD man has been spared jail after admitting multiple breaches of a non-molestation order which "caused distress" to his estranged wife.

In Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Tahir Khan sentenced Muhammad Usman, 33, of Fourth Avenue, Bradford, to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, after the court was told in February how his estranged wife had suffered five years of verbal and physical domestic abuse.

Usman pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court in February to five counts of breaching a non-molestation order in 2023, the first occurring on October 17, with subsequent breaches on October 18, November 4, November 15 and December 15 last year.

The order was issued after Usman's wife, Sidrah Kanval, addressed the court with emotional testimony about how she suffered verbal and physical domestic abuse for five years.

Ms Kanval told the court: “Sadly the life I lived with Muhammad Usman truly taught me what suffering is, what torture is.

“My decision to agree to an arranged marriage was not the fairy tale I dreamed it to be.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Muhammad Usman, who received a suspended sentence for breaching a non-molestation order.Muhammad Usman, who received a suspended sentence for breaching a non-molestation order. (Image: UGC)

In handing down Usman’s sentence on Thursday, Judge Tahir Khan said: "There may have been behaviour on both sides, but for your part you behaved in a way that was wrong and caused distress to Sidrah.

“It was out of character," the judge said, as he told the court that Usman had no previous convictions.

Judge Khan noted there was a consistency to Usman’s actions, and although he sentenced him to 12 months custody, he also “recommended punishment in the community” and suspended the sentence for two years.

As part of the sentence, Usman needs to complete 30 sessions of the Building Better Relationships programme, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a restraining order without a restriction of time.

The judge said: “There should also be some payback by completing 100 hours of community service.”

The judge also told Usman: “I’ve got to warn you if you breach any of these conditions, you run the risk of being sent back to prison.”

Regarding the Building Better Relationships programme, the judge also said: “If you’re not putting you heart into this, you’ll be going back to prison.”

Speaking to the T&A after the sentencing, Ms Kanval said: “I was most happy with the restraining order. I also realise it’s just a piece of paper.”

Ms Kanval did, however, thank the judge and police for taking action.

“The law is firm and the judge gave a stern message which will show other perpetrators if you behave like this you can’t get away with it.”