A FATHER and son allegedly attacked an elderly man who was said to have "brainwashed" a woman missing from home after refusing to take part in an arranged marriage.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Aslam suffered severe injuries when he was assaulted at his home in Berkeley Street, Nelson, last August.

The jury has been told how a young woman named Tasleem, daughter of Mohammed Yasin, 47, and sister of Mohammed Shahin, 21, had been staying with Mr Aslam. Shahin told police he had believed she had been kidnapped by the alleged victim, who, he claimed, was brainwashing her and refusing to let her parents see her.

Yasin and Shahin, who both live in Birmingham, plead not guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

The court has been told how Mr Aslam said he was at home with his son and Tasleem, who he described as a family friend, when Yasin knocked on the door. Aslam said he told the defendant Tasleem did not want to go back to Birmingham and claimed Shahin told his son he had a gun. Another man started attacking Mr Aslam and Shahin was said to have begun hitting him around the body.

Yasin told police Tasleem had left home about six months earlier and he had called officers because he was concerned she was being held against her will. He was there when police went to Mr Aslam's home last July, but then went back to Birmingham without his daughter. He claimed he was not in Nelson on the day Mr Aslam was attacked last August, but at home, and had not been to Nelson since last July. His son told police Tasleem had been engaged to a man in Holland. A marriage had been arranged but she did not like the man. Both families called the wedding off because she wasn't happy and she left home twice. He said his parents were upset but not angry and on the last occasion they called police because they thought she might be in trouble. The family had gone to Mr Aslam's home last July, but he wouldn't open the door.

Shahin told officers he thought the complainant was trying to hide Tasleem and it was as if she was being brainwashed because Mr Aslam wanted her to marry the man from Holland. He did not know if she was being held against her will, but told police she had been kidnapped.

The defendant said when interviewed he wasn't even there when Mr Aslam was attacked but in Birmingham.

(Proceeding)

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