Latest news with #Iftikhar
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Shady past of Virgin Atlantic passenger who threatened to 'gang rape' stewardess
Salman Iftikhar launched a prolonged and vile verbal assault on a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant on a plane for Lahore, Pakistan, and the dad was jailed last week A yob who threatened to gang rape a Virgin Atlantic stewardess has had several brushes with the law, it has today emerged. Salman Iftikhar was sentenced to 15 months in jail last week after admitting making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment. The judge took into account Iftikhar's six previous convictions, including a common assault, a record she described as "lengthy and appalling". These six previous convictions have arisen from 15 offences over the years. And now further details of these offences have come to light - days after Iftikhar, 37, began his time at HM Prison Brixton in south London. It is his first time behind bars despite his two counts of common assault in 2004, drink driving in 2008 and driving with excess alcohol that same year among other crimes. In 2021, father-of-three Iftikhar was fined £3,000 after he was caught drunk behind the wheel. When pulled over, police also found him in possession of cannabis. Iftikhar, who was two times over the legal limit, subsequently pleaded guilty to drink driving, cannabis possession and failing to stop a vehicle when required to by a constable. Neighbours in Iver, Buckinghamshire, this week said police had also been called to his six-bedroom home dozens of times in recent years. Iftikhar had lived there with one of his two wives - Erum Salman, who is the mother to his three children. She was described as a "nice lady" by neighbours, who branded Iftikhar "not very friendly" this week. "There's been so many rowdy late night parties that have ended up in fights in the early hours of the morning. At one point it felt like the police were here almost every day," said one neighbour who also described Iftikhar as "often spaced out". The father of three kept a range of expensive cars - from a Range Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce - on his driveway at the time of his arrest. He and his UK-based wife together the pair run a London-based staffing company which provides training to businesses working in customer service and manufacturing. Yet, according to those known to the Buckinghamshire couple, the pair had a "rocky marriage and would argue quite a bit". Daily Mail reports Iftikhar diversified his skillset in recent years into "exposure to cryptocurrencies," a project likely to prove tricky to manage from his cell in jail. When he was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court, a judge described the episode as "a sustained incident" and felt she could only impose a custodial term. Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, had said his client "had a long-standing drug and alcohol problem which he has not addressed for many years".
The Irish Sun
12-08-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Plane thug who threatened to ‘gang rape' hostess may get longer in jail after MPs wife handed DOUBLE for Southport tweet
A PLANE thug who threatened to "gang rape" a hostess may get longer in jail after an MPs wife was handed double the term for a migrant tweet. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has referred Salman Iftihar's 15-month sentence to the Attorney General for being "unduly lenient". Advertisement 6 Salman Iftihar launched into a sick rant on a Virgin Atlantic plane Credit: Central News 6 The tycoon was locked up for 15 months despite his rap sheet Credit: Central News 6 By contrast, Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months for one tweet Credit: PA He said the term was evidence of "two-tier justice" after Lucy Connolly was caged for 31 months for a tweet about the Southport riots. Mr Philp told the Mail: "Iftikar was sentenced to only 15 months in prison last week for threatening an air stewardess with gang rape and for racially aggravated harassment. Iftikhar has multiple previous convictions. "Yet Lucy Connolly got 31 months for a far less serious offence - a prosecution Lord Hermer personally authorised. "This is two-tier justice in action. Advertisement "I have today referred the case to the Attorney General Lord Hermer for review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. "We'll now find out if Hermer is willing to take action to fix Britain's two-tier justice problem." Shocking footage showed Iftikhar, 37, tell Virgin Atlantic crew member Angie Walsh she would be attacked in her hotel after landing. The tycoon launched into the foul-mouthed rant after downing champagne on an eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore, Pakistan. Advertisement Iftikhar said Ms Walsh would be taken from her hotel room, gang raped and set on fire. He also threatened to blow-up the five-star hotel where the cabin crew were set to stay. Isleworth Crown Court heard Iftikhar has six previous convictions, including for common assault, in what the judge described as a "lengthy and appalling" rap sheet. Despite her comments, she only jailed the thug for 15 months after he admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment. Advertisement In contrast, Connolly was locked up for 31 months after admitting publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred. The childminder had shared a social media post just hours after three girls were knifed to death in Southport last summer. She wrote: "Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care... "If that makes me racist, so be it." Advertisement Connolly launched a bid against her "harsh" sentence but this was thrown out by Court of Appeal judges. Her husband Raymond Connolly, who is Conservative vice chair of the committee on adult social care at West Northamptonshire Council, said she had been shown "no mercy". In a letter to the Attorney General, Mr Philip pointed out Iftikhar made "over 100 sickening threats" to cabin crew as opposed to Connolly's one post. The Attorney General's Office will now decide if the sentence was unduly lenient and if so, refer it to the Court of Appeal. Advertisement Dad-of-three Iftikhar, who was later revealed as a debt-ridden tycoon with two wives, could then see his jail term increased. 6 Iftikhar threatened to gang rape the cabin crew worker Credit: Central News 6 The millionaire, seen with one of his wives Abeer Rizvi, pleaded guilty Credit: Instagram 6 Connolly launched an unsuccessful bid against her sentence
Scottish Sun
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Plane thug who threatened to ‘gang rape' hostess may get longer in jail after MPs wife handed DOUBLE for Southport tweet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PLANE thug who threatened to "gang rape" a hostess may get longer in jail after an MPs wife was handed double the term for a migrant tweet. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has referred Salman Iftihar's 15-month sentence to the Attorney General for being "unduly lenient". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Salman Iftihar launched into a sick rant on a Virgin Atlantic plane Credit: Central News 6 The tycoon was locked up for 15 months despite his rap sheet Credit: Central News 6 By contrast, Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months for one tweet Credit: PA He said the term was evidence of "two-tier justice" after Lucy Connolly was caged for 31 months for a tweet about the Southport riots. Mr Philp told the Mail: "Iftikar was sentenced to only 15 months in prison last week for threatening an air stewardess with gang rape and for racially aggravated harassment. Iftikhar has multiple previous convictions. "Yet Lucy Connolly got 31 months for a far less serious offence - a prosecution Lord Hermer personally authorised. "This is two-tier justice in action. "I have today referred the case to the Attorney General Lord Hermer for review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. "We'll now find out if Hermer is willing to take action to fix Britain's two-tier justice problem." Shocking footage showed Iftikhar, 37, tell Virgin Atlantic crew member Angie Walsh she would be attacked in her hotel after landing. The tycoon launched into the foul-mouthed rant after downing champagne on an eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore, Pakistan. Iftikhar said Ms Walsh would be taken from her hotel room, gang raped and set on fire. He also threatened to blow-up the five-star hotel where the cabin crew were set to stay. Isleworth Crown Court heard Iftikhar has six previous convictions, including for common assault, in what the judge described as a "lengthy and appalling" rap sheet. Despite her comments, she only jailed the thug for 15 months after he admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment. In contrast, Connolly was locked up for 31 months after admitting publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred. The childminder had shared a social media post just hours after three girls were knifed to death in Southport last summer. She wrote: "Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care... "If that makes me racist, so be it." Connolly launched a bid against her "harsh" sentence but this was thrown out by Court of Appeal judges. Her husband Raymond Connolly, who is Conservative vice chair of the committee on adult social care at West Northamptonshire Council, said she had been shown "no mercy". In a letter to the Attorney General, Mr Philip pointed out Iftikhar made "over 100 sickening threats" to cabin crew as opposed to Connolly's one post. The Attorney General's Office will now decide if the sentence was unduly lenient and if so, refer it to the Court of Appeal. Dad-of-three Iftikhar, who was later revealed as a debt-ridden tycoon with two wives, could then see his jail term increased. 6 Iftikhar threatened to gang rape the cabin crew worker Credit: Central News 6 The millionaire, seen with one of his wives Abeer Rizvi, pleaded guilty Credit: Instagram
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Time of India
Pakistani influencer Abeer Rizvi defends husband after prison sentence for threatening air hostess on London-Lahore flight
Pakistani social media influencer Abeer Rizvi has come to the defence of her husband, former British executive Salman Iftikhar, following his sentencing to 15 months in prison over threats made towards Virgin Atlantic cabin crew during a first-class flight from London to Lahore. Pakistani influencer speaks out after husband's prison sentence The incident occurred on 7 February 2023, when Iftikhar was travelling with his three children. Reports indicate that he had consumed excessive alcohol on board and became aggressive after being asked to return to his seat. He allegedly made threats to flight attendant Angie Walsh and attempted to physically assault another crew member, Tommy Merchant. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Iftikhar was not arrested upon landing in Pakistan. Authorities later apprehended him at his home in Iver, England, on 16 March 2024. At Isleworth Crown Court, he admitted to threatening to kill Walsh and racially harassing her but denied harassment towards Merchant. Veteran flight attendant left traumatised Angie Walsh, a cabin crew veteran with 37 years of service, has described the incident as deeply traumatising, saying it left her unable to work for over a year. Virgin Atlantic issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the safety of passengers and crew, emphasising that it holds a zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behaviour. Wife urges public to consider mental health Following the sentencing on 5 August, Rizvi addressed the matter on Instagram, where she has more than 500,000 followers. She expressed that her husband's behaviour was the result of underlying mental health issues. According to her, it is important for the public to understand that unseen struggles can often lead to such incidents, and compassion should be shown before passing judgement. Rizvi, who is based in Pakistan, is reported to be one of two women married to Iftikhar. Media sources claim that his second wife, Erum Salman, resides in the United Kingdom. The case has attracted widespread attention due to the combination of high-profile individuals, aviation safety concerns, and the public discussion on mental health accountability.
Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pakistani social media influencer defends husband who threatened to rape air hostess
The wife of Salman Iftikhar, the executive recently sentenced for threatening a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, has come forward to defend her husband, attributing his actions to mental health struggles. Abeer Iftikhar, social media influencer from Pakistan.(Instagram-abeeriftekhar) Abeer Rizvi, a social media influencer based in Pakistan, shared her thoughts on Instagram days after Iftikhar was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his behaviour during a flight in 2023. 'Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there's pain you don't see,' Rizvi wrote on Instagram. 'Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human,' she added. Iftikhar, the founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match, was travelling from London to Lahore with his wife and their three children when he became intoxicated and disruptive on February 7, 2023, reported The New York Post. During the flight's first meal service, Iftikhar allegedly drank champagne in front of his children and behaved in a disorderly manner, including reaching over the counter to take ice with his hands, which led cabin crew to ask him to return to his seat, the report added. When asked to comply, Iftikhar launched into a tirade against flight attendants, making racist and threatening remarks, and later identified the hotel where the lead flight attendant, Angie Walsh, was staying, issuing further threats. According to the Mirror, he said she 'will be dead,' and added, 'The floor of your hotel will be blown up and it will disappear. You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang-raped and set on fire.' The report said that the officials managed to calm Iftikhar, and he was allowed to leave the flight in Pakistan without police involvement. Iftikhar was arrested at his home in England in March 2024. Following his arrest, his company, Staffing Match reportedly went bankrupt, owing $22.8 million. During his court hearing, Iftikhar admitted to making threats and racially harassing Walsh but denied harassment charges related to a physical altercation with a male flight attendant. Walsh testified that the incident left her traumatised and forced her to take 14 months off work. 'I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job,' she said in a victim impact statement. 'I have flown with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years and faced many challenges, but this incident broke me,' she added. Virgin Atlantic praised Walsh for her courage in speaking out. The New York Post quoted a spokesperson saying, 'The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive or abusive behaviour on board. We support Angie fully and commend her bravery.' Salman Iftikhar's wife, Abeer Rizvi, has not publicly commented on his jail sentence.
