Years added to 'unduly lenient' prison terms for Luton sisters who kidnapped and assaulted woman

Uzma Iqbal, aged 33, and Sobiya Iqbal, aged 28, were filmed dancing in a nightclub whilst at a hen party in Birmingham. The videos were subsequently circulated on social media, which caused embarrassment among their families. Uzma and Sobiya, who are sisters, blamed another woman they had met at the hen party for circulating the videos.

The sisters contacted the woman they believed had circulated the videos and lured her out for the evening.

On January 6, 2018, they drove her to an dark country lane in Harpenden where they punched and kicked the woman.

Sobiya armed herself with a pole and tried to force the woman to admit she had posted the videos. During the assault, they cut her hair and threatened to kill members of her family.

Uzma and Sobiya robbed the woman of her mobile phones and handbag, and started to check through the contents of the phones. While they were distracted, the woman jumped out of the car and ran across a field to escape. After running a mile she stopped at a nearby farmhouse and the police were called.

On 5 December 2019, Uzma Iqbal, of Weatherby Road, was sentenced to 18 months and Sobiya, of Runley Road, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment at Luton Crown Court.

Today, following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, both sentences were found to be unduly lenient and have been increased.

Uzma Iqbal has now been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment while Sobiya Iqbal sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Solicitor General Michael Ellis QC said: “The actions of Uzma Iqbal and Sobiya Iqbal were severe and dangerous, and it is therefore appropriate that their sentences have been increased to reflect the significant harm they caused.”

Detective Constable Scott Hannam, who led the investigation, said: “The Iqbal sisters inflicted an enormous amount of terror and pain on their victim, so we’re really pleased that they have now had their sentences extended.

“This was understandably a horrifying ordeal and, following a review by the Attorney General, we now believe the sentences reflect the severity of the Iqbals’ actions.

“We’d like to praise the bravery of the victim throughout the investigation and subsequent court process, and we hope that she can now have some form of closure knowing that the sisters have been made to pay the price for their despicable behaviour.”

If you have been affected by crime, the Signpost Hub offers free and confidential support to victims in Bedfordshire, whether it has been reported to police or not and irrespective of where and when the crime occurred.

Contact 0800 0282887 or visit www.signpostforbedfordshire.com for further information.