A BLACKBURN woman who featured in the BBC2 programme Muslim Driving School was the subject of domestic violence at the time the programme was being made.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on the face of it Kosar Bibi was part of a respectable family, but behind closed doors there was a different story.

Prosecutor Claire Grant said there had been domestic violence by Mohammed Razzaq towards his wife for a number of years as a direct result of his drug addiction.

He was brought before Blackburn magistrates on a charge of assaulting his wife.

Razzaq, 40, of Hargreaves Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Mrs Grant said Mrs Bibi had left £100 in cash in her handbag and when she returned all that was left was £10.

“She confronted her husband who initially denied taking the money,” said Mrs Grant.

“He became aggressive about being put on the spot and during the incident that followed Mrs Bibi was hit on the head with the plaster cast that was on his arm.

"She was knocked to the floor and both her daughters came to her assistance.”

John Rusius, defending, said his client accepted he had drifted back to drugs and took some of the family money to buy them.

“He was waving his arm about and he caught her with his plaster cast,” said Mr Rusius.

“It was a reckless rather than a deliberate act.”

He said going back to drugs had been a 'blip' and his client was now back on track.

“When these proceedings are concluded he will return to the matrimonial home in Blackburn,” said Mr Rusius.

Learners and instructors from Blackburn and Burnley were the stars of the BBC series which followed the fortunes of the women as they strive to pass their test and gain independence.

The six-part show, called Muslim Driving School, followed learners in East Lancashire, as well as further afield in Yorkshire.

The series was intended to be a 'big-hearted, warm and funny documentary series'.

It showed a community group which normally kept itself quiet striving for independence as Muslim women got behind the wheel for the first time.