SHAFILEA TRIAL: Youngest sister in 'blazing row' with parents - updated (From Warrington Guardian)

Latest from Shafilea Ahmed trial in Chester Crown Court

2:59pm Tuesday 17th July 2012 in News

SHAFILEA Ahmed's youngest sister wanted a magic wand to 'change everything' and be in a 'normal family', a court has heard.

The girl, who cannot be named, made the comment after meeting sister Alesha Ahmed in December 2011.

At Chester Crown Court this afternoon, Tuesday, Mr Edis, prosecuting, said: "As the discussion went on you said this, I suggest.

"If you had a magic wand you would change everything and that you wish you had been born into a normal family, and that religion breaks everything."

The witness replied 'Yeah'.

Mr Edis continued: "Did you also say this - that if a family has disowned a child that has brought shame on that family, that was acceptable.

"In other words, it's acceptable to disown a child who brings shame on a family, that it's better to get rid of the problem than to live with it?"

She said she could not remember.

The court also heard that Farzana Ahmed's youngest daughter does not 'believe a word' of what her mum has said in her changed defence statement. Last week the 49-year-old alleged that Iftikhar beat Shafilea the night she disappeared in September 2003, before leaving in the car and coming back without her.

When asked why the girl said 'you just wouldn't want to believe that about your parents'.

Tomorrow Junaid Ahmed, Shafilea's brother, will give evidence.

The trial continues.

THE youngest sister of Shafilea Ahmed was warned in a blazing row with her parents that she had brought shame on her family for getting a ear piercing.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was asked about the argument that took place in front of witnesses at Chester Crown Court today.

Anthony Edis QC, prosecuting, asked how Iftihkar Ahmed and Farzana Ahmed reacted when they saw the piercing.

The girl said: "Like anybody else would - with shock."

"The reason I'm asking about it isn't just because they didn't approve but how did they behave?"

The witness said she could not remember but Mr Edis described a fierce confrontation in October 2011 during which Iftikhar repeatedly said she was bringing shame on the family.

After she asked why the 52-year-old replied: "I will not have shame brought on this family."

After being challenged again Iftikhar continued 'we are your parents. We will tell you what you can and can't do. You will obey. You will not bring shame on this family."

Farzana also accused her youngest daughter of bringing shame and that she did not respect her parents or culture.

The girl said that her 49-year-old mum 'wore the pants' in the Ahmed household, meaning that she was in charge.

She also said that her parents had not been violent towards her but denied being able to remember what happen the night Shafilea disappeared.

The court heard that the girl was only called as a witness at the last minute after Farzana changed her defence statement last week.

She wanted to 'stay out of it' before her mum alleged that Iftikhar had brutally beaten Shafilea the night she was allegedly killed.

Both parents deny murder.

The trial continues.