Cricket bat wife beater Mustafa Bashir jailed for 18 months

A man who was spared prison after attacking his wife with a cricket bat has now been jailed for 18 months following a case review.

Mustafa Bashir, who was found guilty of beating his wife and forcing bleach into her mouth, was originally given an 18-month sentence suspended for two years.

During the trial, Bashir, 33, who had played semi-professional local cricket for Oldham, claimed he had been offered a job at Leicestershire County Cricket Club which he risked losing if he served jail time.

Bashir said he was "about to sign the contract" for the role, and produced a letter from a local sports agent, claiming he "had a very bright future ahead" with Leicestershire.

However, after being given given the suspended sentence at Manchester Crown Court, the club put out a statement on its website saying his claim of a job offer was "wholly false".

The county side’s chief executive, Wasim Khan, called the claim "deeply disturbing" and said: "Leicestershire CCC are appalled that Bashir could have invented a job offer from the club in order, it would seem, to evade a prison sentence."

After doubt was cast on the information provided at the original trial, Bashir denied saying he had been offered a professional cricket role, claiming there had been a "series of misunderstandings".

In reality, he had only ever played as a semi-professional in the Bolton Cricket League and had two net practice sessions with Leicestershire, who denied any knowledge of him.

Revoking his suspended sentence, the judge told him: "There’s not a shred of evidence you were ever chosen to play for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, let alone you had received any offer of a full time contract."

Bashir, who was also given a restraining order not to approach his wife, may now face further investigation for perverting the course of justice.

The initial ruling by Judge Richard Mansell was heavily criticised by domestic violence campaigners after he reportedly claimed Bashir’s former wife was not vulnerable because she was "plainly intelligent" and had a network of friends and a degree.

Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, said the judge’s comments sent a "dangerous" message.

Ms Phillips said: "There’s no category that domestic violence does not touch. It does not follow class lines, it does not follow race lines, it does not follow age lines."

(c) Sky News 2017: Cricket bat wife beater Mustafa Bashir jailed for 18 months