Bomber’s cousin said he wanted to ‘kill unborn baby’
MAN JAILED FOR KICKING PREGNANT WOMAN SO HARD HE LEFT SHOE IMPRINT ON HER FACE
A COUSIN of the Manchester Arena bomber said he wanted to kill a pregnant woman’s unborn child as he attacked her - kicking her so hard he left a shoe imprint on her face.
Hamman Forjani, 21, has been jailed for 21 months for the shocking assault on his victim, who was about 28 weeks pregnant at the time, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Forjani, from Fallowfield, repeatedly punched her in the head and body during the incident, it was said.
The woman gave birth prematurely, and the court heard there was a ‘concern’ that the assault may have caused this. But a judge said there was no evidence to prove whether it had or not, and said it would be difficult for a doctor to prove the cause.
Thankfully, the baby was born healthy, the court heard. The court was previously told that Forjani is a cousin of Arena attacker Salman Abedi. Forjani was not arrested as part of the investigation into the terrorist atrocity on May 22, last year.
His barrister told the court during sentencing on Thursday that Forjani is now finding his time on remand in prison ‘particularly difficult’ because of a ‘family association.’
Prosecuting, Michael Knowles told how Forjani had been drinking alcohol before the attack, which took place last year. He became angry and threw water over his victim and broke her mobile phone.
Forjani then grabbed her, causing her to fall, and dragged her along the floor. Mr Knowles said Forjani punched her repeatedly around the face and body. After managing to get up, she told him he ‘could have killed her unborn baby.’
Forjani said ‘that he wanted to,’ Mr Knowles said. Later he apologised.
The defendant, who has previous convictions for robbery, burglary and theft, was arrested and charged.
Defending, Rachel White said Forjani now has ‘recognition’ and ‘insight’ into how his behaviour has affected the woman. She said when not on drugs or drinking, Forjani is a ‘very pleasant young man not lacking in intelligence.’
Ms White said Forjani is finding it ‘particularly difficult’ in prison and says he has been ‘bullied because of a family association.’ She says he considered asking to be moved, but that would mean being further away from family.
Forjani, of Aston Avenue, Fallowfield, previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
The judge, Recorder Andrew McLoughlin, said: “Having punched her to her face and having made perhaps a comment in the heat of the moment about the baby and an apparent desire for the baby to die, matters then concluded. Fortunately for you and the victim in this case the child was born healthily.”