Father Of Killed Teen Denies Slapping Her - Sky News

By Nick Martin, news correspondent

The father of Shafilea Ahmed, the 17-year-old found dead nine years ago, denies "slapping and hitting" his daughter on the night she went missing.

On the second day in the witness box, Iftikhar Ahmed said he had not had anything to do with his daughter's death, despite being "the last person to see her alive".

He made his denial under cross examination from his wife Farzana's barrister, Mukhtar Hussain QC, who claimed the 52-year-old taxi driver became violent in the family home in Warrington, Cheshire, on September 11, 2003 - the night his daughter vanished.

Ahmed's testimony comes a week after his wife dramatically changed her defence case, alleging that there was "an incident of violence" that night and that her husband attacked both her and Shafilea.

Mr Hussain asked Ahmed: "Where did you take Shafilea on 11th September 2003 because she (Farzana Ahmed) would very much like to know where you took her daughter."

Shafilea's mother, Farzana, has dramatically changed her story

"I never left the house," Ahmed replied. "I would like to know too because I never left the house."

The court heard how Ahmed was the last person to see his daughter alive and that she was nowhere to be seen the morning after the argument. The jury listened as it was claimed that Farzana Ahmed confronted her husband about where Shafilea was after she went missing.

Mr Hussain alleges that Ahmed replied: "If you care for your life and the lives of your children don't ask me this question again."

"That conversation never happened," Ahmed responded.

"She simply made it up did she?" asked Mr Hussain.

Ahmed replied: "I'm not saying she's lying. For the last 10 years she has never mentioned anything of the sort."

"You cannot face the truth," accused Mr Hussain.

"I can face the truth that's why I am standing here today," Shafilea's father replied.

"For the last nine years she has been reading a script that you wrote," said Mr Hussain.

"I have never written any script," Ahmed insisted.

Further details of what is alleged to have happened that night were read out to he jury. "You slapped her (Shafilea) twice in the face with your right hand," claimed Mr Hussain.

"That never happened," said Ahmed.

Mr Hussain said Mrs Ahmed claimed her husband was shouting at Shafilea, saying: "After all we have done for you Shafilea, we have done so much for you and you have started messing around again."

Mrs Ahmed's defence then claims that Ahmed started shouting at his wife. "You said it was all your fault for not bringing Shafilea up properly," Mr Hussain said to Ahmed.

"What would you say if I said you are a domineering and violent man?" Mr Hussain asked.

"That I am not," replied Ahmed.

Mr Hussain continued: "You have controlled your wife and children and have had absolute control until very recently."

"I have never had control over anybody," replied Ahmed.

During further cross-examination, prosecution barrister Andrew Edis QC asked Ahmed if a family holiday to Pakistan in 2002 was a cover for an arranged marriage for his daughter.

In response, Ahmed said: "I have said a hundred times Mr Edis there was no arranged marriage in this matter whatsoever."

Ahmed confirmed that the family was "calm" prior to 2002 and that there were "no violent rows, no heated arguments".

Mr Edis added: "As far as you could tell Shafilea was happy?"

"Yes," said Ahmed.

Mr Edis then revealed that in October 2002 Shafilea made a complaint about her father to social services.

Ahmed said until the trial he was not aware that she had done that.

Both parents Ahmed are charged with the murder of Shafilia on September 11, 2003. They deny the charges.

The trial continues.