DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
A British magistrate was formally reprimanded for refusing to deal with the case of a Muslim woman who wore a niqab, press reports said Wednesday.
Ian Murray walked out of court in Manchester when Zoobia Hussain, 32, appeared last June wearing a niqab covering her face apart from her eyes, The Telegraph reported.
The jobless mother-of-five from Lancashire was accused of causing £1,500 (2,950 dollars) worth of damage to her council house when her family was thrown out for not making rent payments, the Times said.
Murray left the hearing without explaining his reasons, but later said he felt the way she was dressed raised identity issues.
Hussain's lawyer said her client was "shocked and distressed" by the "insensitive and unacceptable" treatment.
The Office of Judicial Complaints said Murray had been formally reprimanded and ordered to receive further training. He has not sat as a justice of the peace since the inquiry began.
Hussain’s case was later dealt with by a female district judge. She was allowed to give evidence from behind a screen so men in the court could not see her.
She was convicted of causing criminal damage, given a curfew order and ordered to pay £500 (980 dollars) compensation. |
