Reading Magistrates' Court: Calcot husband denies coercive control and assault

A man has denied coercively controlling his wife and assaulting her.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 14, was Zia Ahmed.

The 29-year-old, of Hawkesbury Drive, Calcot, is charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife, Bilqis Alam, by namely not allowing her to leave the house without permission or allowing her to work, between July 20, 2019 and August 20 last year.

Mr Ahmed, who was legally represented by Andrew Storch at the preliminary hearing, is also accused of assaulting his wife by beating her on August 19 last year.

He spoke only to confirm his details and to deny the two charges.

Magistrates said the case could proceed no further that day and adjourned it for a trial to be arranged.

Mr Ahmed was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.