Imam pleads guilty to allowing two children to marry each other

Police say an imam has pleaded guilty to illegally allowing two children to marry each other at a mosque.

Ashraf Osmani, 52, of Abington Avenue, Northampton, pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Northamptonshire Police said.

He was charged under Section 121 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which means a person has caused a child to get married before they turn 18.

Police said he conducted an Islamic marriage ceremony, also known as a nikkah, in November 2023 which involved two 16-year-olds.

They said the ceremony took place at the city’s Central Mosque, where Osmani is the serving imam.

The Bangladesh-born British national was bailed to appear at Northampton Crown Court on 20 November for sentencing, police said.