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A woman harassed a grandmother by putting her washing machine on a constant spin cycle and calling her a ‘paedophile’ in front of her grandchildren.
From 2018, Iqra Malik, 44, from Islington, north London, conducted a ‘malicious’ targeting of grandmother Anne-Marie Cole, who at the time was her neighbour.
Her behaviour eventually forced her victim to seek temporary accommodation and she said it led to her losing employment and relationships because of emotional and psychological stress.
The court heard that, for over two years, Malik screamed abuse at the victim on several occasions, called her a paedophile in front of her young grandchildren and filming her on her phone without permission.
She also made ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ to the police about Ms Cole, sent her letters and put her washing machine on continuous spinning mode during the early hours of the morning.
Appearing today at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court wearing a red coat, Malik was handed a suspended 12-week sentence and will also be subject to a restraining order.
Iqra Malik screamed abuse at the victim on several occasions, called her a paedophile in front of her young grandchildren and filming her on her phone without permission
Several victim impact statements were read aloud from Ms Cole, who spoke about the deep-lasting impact this harassment had had on her mental health and her relationships.
Her lawyer told the court that her routine had ‘completely changed’ after she was forced to relocate, and no longer invited her grandchildren and family around to her home.
It had also caused the breakdown of her relationship with her partner and left her feeling ‘overwhelmed and depressed’. She continued: ‘I feel isolated and I sometimes have nothing positive to say. It’s been a long journey getting over this, I’m so anxious.’
She told the court that she felt ‘scared’ of the defendant’s behaviour and added: ‘My emotional and physical health is the worst it’s been, it’s hard to concentrate on simple tasks. I still don’t understand why I’ve been targeted by her – I didn’t deserve to be treated this way.’
The court also heard that Malik had breached an injunction placed against her last August, and her appearance today marked the 19th hearing in the case. After pleading not guilty, she was convicted in November of harassment without violence.
Appearing today at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court wearing a red coat, Malik was handed a suspended 12-week sentence and will also be subject to a restraining order
Her defence lawyer, Emily Mattin, told the court that she suffered with mental health issues and that a custodial sentence would have a ‘prolonged, substantial impact’ on her wellbeing. She is also due to move to a different borough in four weeks in order to receive treatment for knee surgery and to be close to other family members.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Rose told Malik: ‘Your behaviour over this period affected every aspect of Ms Cole’s life – her relationship with her partner, her children and grandchildren, her work and her home. It was persistent, it was unpleasant, it was malicious and what were rightly described as vile allegations were made in relation to her grandchildren.’
She noted that Malik had shown ‘no remorse’ for her behaviour, and had subjected her victim and loved ones to the ordeal of trial, and despite being diagnosed with mental health issues, she had not accepted the support offered.
She has now been handed a 12-week sentence, suspended for the next 12 months. She must also adhere to a strict restraining order, which prohibits her from contacting Ms Cole directly or indirectly and she must not use her washing machine between the hours of 12am until 8am.
Source: Daily Mail
