Mohammed Al-Amin – Bedford

A 24-year-old man from Bedford has been sentenced after forcing a teenage girl into marriage and subjecting her to cohesive and controlling behaviour.

Mohammed Al-Amin began sexually abusing the victim when she was in her early teens and still at school

In February last year, she bravely came forward to report that she was a victim of coercion and exploitation, and we launched an investigation.

She also disclosed that she has been coerced into entering an Islamic marriage via Zoom in a language she didn’t understand, when she was still under the age of 18.

She described the significant pressure she faced, including expectations on how to dress and behave in particular ways to “avoid bringing shame” upon him and his family.

After the relationship ended, Al-Amin sent abusive and threatening messages the victim, saying that he would kill her family.

Al-Amin of Saxon Way, Great Denham, Bedford, was found guilty of one count of forced marriage and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to three years and seven months.

He was also handed a five-year retraining order and will have to be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.