Pakistani businessman jailed in London for threatening Virgin Atlantic airhostess with gangrape: 'You called me a...'
Salman Iftikhar, a wealthy London businessman, has been jailed for 15 months for his 2023 outburst on a London-Lahore Virgin Atlantic flight, where he threatened an airhostess with gangrape, accusing her of being racist.
"You called me a P*ki in front of everybody," Iftikhar told the airhostess adding that she would be dragged out of her hotel room, gangraped and set alight.
On February 7, 2023, Iftikhar was flying on the Virgin Atlantic flight in first class with his wife and three children. The argument started when Iftikhar was drinking at the onboard bar and taking ice with his hands. "Mr Iftikhar was seen drinking champagne at the onboard bar, where he was talking to cabin crew," said prosecutor Abdul Kapadia.
"During the defendant's first meal service, the defendant was seen helping himself to ice, leaning over bar he was drinking at, and taking ice with his hands.
"When told to stop, the defendant became irate, and started to film cabin crew with his phone, telling them: 'Do not tell me what to do, you b**ch. When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: 'Don't tell me what to do you racist f**king b**ch. I know where you are from in Cardiff.'"
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Brigade Morgan Heights: 2/3 BHK Luxurious Flats in Chennai
Brigade Morgan Heights
Click Here
Undo
The pilot was informed about the altercation and he turned the seat belt lights on so that everyone went back to their seats. "The defendant's behaviour became worse. The cabin crew discussed a diversion to Turkey. The defendant was informed of this possible diversion, to which he replied: 'I don't care. F**k it, go to Turkey. I have contacts.' The defendant then sat down, but his aggressive behaviour continued. His wife was ashamed.
His three children were also on-board, and other crew members were called to assist, but the defendant continued shouting and swearing," Kapadia told the court.
"He was slurring his words, with his voice raised. He shouted at the cabin crew: 'Do you know who I am?' The defendant's wife went to the food bar and tried to talk to cabin crew, but the defendant pushed his wife away, and shouted at her not to talk to crew. A crew member stabilised the wife's arm to prevent her from falling when she was pushed," the court was told.
Iftikhar also threatened to blow up the floor of the Avari Lahore Hotel, where the cabin crew were due to stay. "You will be dead on the floor of your hotel," he threatened the crew and then he turned towards the airhostess and said: "You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire".
His three young children were crying and pleading for him to stop.
When the flight landed in Lahore, no action was taken against Iftikhar, but he was arrested on March 16, 2024, from his home in Iver, Buckinghamshire.
Iftikhar has six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is the director and founder of the recruitment firm Staffing Match.
The air hostess told the court she had to take 14 months off work as she was traumatized by the threat of being gangraped.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Land worth Rs 1 crore belonging to father of Pakistan-based militant attached by J-K Police
The Jammu and Kashmir Police said it attached a parcel of land in north Kashmir's Baramullah district that belonged to the father of a Pakistan-based militant. The land, measuring 3 kanals and 18 marlas (roughly 0.5 acre), belonged to Mohammad Maqbool Dar, the father of Pakistan-based militant Asif Maqbool Dar, who was designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2023 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Police said attaching the land located at Bandi Payeen village in Baramulla was a 'major step in dismantling the terror networks and their support structures'. 'Srinagar police have attached orchard land measuring 3 kanals and 18 marlas, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, belonging to designated terrorist Asif Maqbool Dar, son of Mohd. Maqbool Dar, who is presently operating from across the border. The property is located at Bandi Payeen, district Baramulla,' the police said in a statement. 'Although the property is formally held in the name of his father, Mohd. Maqbool Dar… investigations have established that Asif Maqbool Dar is an active stakeholder,' police said, adding, 'He has been involved in facilitating terrorism, spreading anti-national propaganda, and inciting disaffection against the government through various social media platforms for several years.' Police said the attachment of the land is aimed at sending a message to anti-national elements. 'This decisive action by Srinagar police is intended to send a clear and strong message — those engaged in anti-national and terror-related activities will face strict legal consequences, including forfeiture of their assets,' police said. In a separate incident, the Anantnag police have attached land belonging to Adil Hussain Thoker, a militant from south Kashmir's Bijbehera. Thoker's house had been demolished after his name cropped up in the Pahalgam terror attack. However, the NIA later said that only three Pakistani nationals were behind the attack. 'The action has been taken in connection with FIR No. 11/2023 registered under Sections 20, 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 2/3 of the EIMCO Act,' police said, adding, 'This attachment is part of lawful measures aimed at dismantling the support structure of terrorism in the district.'
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
WATCH: Indian Muslim Girls Stand Tall In London, Repel Pakistani Harassment Over Tricolour
A London's street witnessed a tense encounter as celebrations for India's Independence Day unfolded. Indian citizens had gathered to mark the occasion, waving the tricolor and raising patriotic slogans. A group of Pakistanis attempted to disrupt the celebrations and harass the participants. The confrontation targeted a group of Indian girls, including Muslim students, who were peacefully celebrating with friends. When Pakistanis tried to snatch the tricolor, the girls responded firmly. Their courage forced the intruders to retreat, while the girls continued to chant 'Hindustan Zindabad'. A video capturing the episode circulated widely on social media, showing the girls standing their ground against the harassers. The video highlights a Muslim girl holding the tricolor and celebrating with her friends. Several Pakistanis approached to intimidate the group, but she did not flinch. She answered back resolutely, compelling the intruders to leave. UK: Pakistani goons harass Indian Muslim girls on the streets of London during India's Independence Day celebrations — OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) August 18, 2025 Social media users praised her bravery, applauding her for confronting the troublemakers with confidence. Such tensions between Indian and Pakistani citizens in London are not unprecedented. Previous incidents, including clashes following the Pulwama terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor, had seen similar confrontations. Demonstrations by people supporting their respective governments often escalated into disputes, requiring police intervention. Independence celebrations in both countries are just a day apart. Pakistan observes its Independence Day on August 14, while India celebrates on August 15. The close timing of these events sometimes leads to heightened emotions and occasional confrontations among diaspora communities.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Maryvale High School stabbing: One student killed, another injured in Phoenix; officials vow stronger safety
Maryvale High school stabbing (Picture credit: X) A violent altercation between two students at Maryvale High School in Phoenix ended in tragedy on Tuesday, leaving one teenager dead and another injured, officials confirmed. Phoenix Police said officers were called to the campus, located near 59th Avenue and Osborn Road, shortly after 11:00 am (local time) following reports of a stabbing. — PhoenixPolice (@PhoenixPolice) 'Officers arrived and learned there was a fight involving two male students,' the department stated. Both students were rushed to the hospital, where one later died, while the other is expected to survive, reported The New York Times. The school was initially placed under lockdown before authorities confirmed there was no ongoing threat to staff or students. Parents were asked to follow school instructions during the release process. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne described the incident as 'a terrible tragedy,' adding: 'Schools must be safe places. The on-campus school safety officer responded immediately, rendered aid to the student and did his job well. This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.' Maryvale High School is part of the Phoenix Union High School District, which serves more than 2,800 students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo District board member Jeremiah Cota said his 'thoughts and prayers are with the students, staff, and families,' while Phoenix City Councilmember Betty Guardado called the stabbing 'heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.' She added, 'Classrooms should be a safe place for all students. Our community stands united in support, and I am committed to working with the school district, community and Phoenix Police to ensure their safety.' Authorities have not yet identified the victim or released details about a possible motive. According to KJZZ Phoenix, police confirmed that a campus officer had immediately rushed to the scene and provided aid before paramedics arrived.
