Overview
- Ashraf Osmani, 52, admitted conducting a Nikah for two 16-year-olds at Northampton Central Mosque after the legal marriage age rose to 18.
- Northampton Crown Court imposed 15 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for one year, with the judge calling his conduct negligent and stating ignorance of the law is no defence.
- The case emerged through safeguarding referrals to Northamptonshire Police, reportedly after the girl’s foster parents found a marriage certificate.
- The CPS said the teenagers were in a consensual relationship with no coercion, yet emphasized that child marriage is illegal in England and Wales in all circumstances.
- Osmani claimed he did not know the law had changed, as authorities highlighted deterrence and campaigners urged sustained efforts to prevent child marriage.