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Banned
Man Jailed For Attacking Intruder Is Freed
1:23pm UK, Wednesday January 20, 2010
David Williams, Sky News Online
A man who was jailed for attacking a burglar with a cricket bat after his family were threatened at knife-point by intruders has been freed.
Businessman Munir Hussain, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, saw his 30-month jail term reduced to a two-year suspended sentence by the Court of Appeal.
Hussain's 35-year-old brother Tokeer - who was also jailed for the attack - had his 39-month sentence cut to two years.
Following the ruling at London's High Court, Munir Hussain's son Awais said his family was "extremely grateful" to the judges for their decision.
"It will great to have my father home immediately and my thoughts are with my uncle, Tokeer Hussain, who will not be released yet," he said.
The brothers had been jailed after a court found them guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the burglary on September 3 2008.
Munir Hussain and his wife and children had returned from their local mosque during Ramadan to find men wearing balaclavas in their home.
Tokeer Hussain will remain in jail
He said he feared for their lives as their hands were tied behind their backs and they were forced to crawl from room to room.
After freeing himself he contacted Tokeer to help chase the offenders down the street in High Wycombe, bringing one to the ground.
The intruder, Walid Salem, 56, suffered permanent brain damage after he was struck with a cricket bat so hard it broke into three pieces.
The Hussain brothers denied being involved in that violence.
Salem's injuries meant he was not fit to plead after being charged with false imprisonment. He was given a two-year supervision order.
On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal rejected a bid from Hussain to appeal his conviction.
But Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, and two other judges in London, said they would respond to a "call for mercy" from barristers representing the brothers, agreeing there was "ample justification" to free Munir Hussain and reduce Tokeer's sentence.
It was quite terrifying. It will be difficult to get over. I do not think the family will get over it.
Munir Hussain's son Awais speaks outside the High Court.
Lord Judge described the case as one of "true exceptionality", remarking that while Munir's sentence of two years was in itself "merciful", it would be suspended.
But he added: "This trial had nothing to do with the right of the householder to defend themselves or their families or their homes.
"The burglary was over and the burglars had gone. No one was in any further danger from them."
Awais Hussain described the intrusion and subsequent trial and imprisonment as "a terrible ordeal" for the family.
"It was quite terrifying. It will be difficult to get over. I do not think the family will get over it," he added outside the High Court.
Neither of the brothers was present in court to hear the judges' decision.
Awais said it was hoped his father would be released later today and family members would be going to Bullingdon Prison in Oxfordshire to bring him home.
1:23pm UK, Wednesday January 20, 2010
David Williams, Sky News Online
A man who was jailed for attacking a burglar with a cricket bat after his family were threatened at knife-point by intruders has been freed.
Businessman Munir Hussain, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, saw his 30-month jail term reduced to a two-year suspended sentence by the Court of Appeal.
Hussain's 35-year-old brother Tokeer - who was also jailed for the attack - had his 39-month sentence cut to two years.
Following the ruling at London's High Court, Munir Hussain's son Awais said his family was "extremely grateful" to the judges for their decision.
"It will great to have my father home immediately and my thoughts are with my uncle, Tokeer Hussain, who will not be released yet," he said.
The brothers had been jailed after a court found them guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the burglary on September 3 2008.
Munir Hussain and his wife and children had returned from their local mosque during Ramadan to find men wearing balaclavas in their home.
Tokeer Hussain will remain in jail
He said he feared for their lives as their hands were tied behind their backs and they were forced to crawl from room to room.
After freeing himself he contacted Tokeer to help chase the offenders down the street in High Wycombe, bringing one to the ground.
The intruder, Walid Salem, 56, suffered permanent brain damage after he was struck with a cricket bat so hard it broke into three pieces.
The Hussain brothers denied being involved in that violence.
Salem's injuries meant he was not fit to plead after being charged with false imprisonment. He was given a two-year supervision order.
On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal rejected a bid from Hussain to appeal his conviction.
But Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, and two other judges in London, said they would respond to a "call for mercy" from barristers representing the brothers, agreeing there was "ample justification" to free Munir Hussain and reduce Tokeer's sentence.
It was quite terrifying. It will be difficult to get over. I do not think the family will get over it.
Munir Hussain's son Awais speaks outside the High Court.
Lord Judge described the case as one of "true exceptionality", remarking that while Munir's sentence of two years was in itself "merciful", it would be suspended.
But he added: "This trial had nothing to do with the right of the householder to defend themselves or their families or their homes.
"The burglary was over and the burglars had gone. No one was in any further danger from them."
Awais Hussain described the intrusion and subsequent trial and imprisonment as "a terrible ordeal" for the family.
"It was quite terrifying. It will be difficult to get over. I do not think the family will get over it," he added outside the High Court.
Neither of the brothers was present in court to hear the judges' decision.
Awais said it was hoped his father would be released later today and family members would be going to Bullingdon Prison in Oxfordshire to bring him home.
