Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Angie Walsh said she was ‘broken’ by the racist and threatening abuse from Salman Iftikhar, 37, who has two wives and multiple failed businesses
Virgin Atlantic passenger threatens stewardess
A wealthy businessman, who threatened to gang rape a Virgin Atlantic air hostess during a flight has had his jail term tripled. Disturbing footage showed how Salman Iftikhar, 38, issued disgusting threats to crew member Angie Walsh, even vowing that she would be assaulted in her hotel after landing. He later escalated his threats by claiming he would blow up the five-star hotel where the cabin crew were scheduled to stay.
Earlier this year, Iftikhar was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Isleworth Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges including making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment.
Now, it’s been increased to three years after Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philip referred the jail term to the Attorney General for being “unduly lenient” reports The Sun.
He compared the sentence to that handed to Lucy Connolly, who was jailed for 31 months for stirring up racist hatred after the Southport attack.
The Solicitor General Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP said: “Salman Iftikhar made horrific threats of rape and violence against an air steward who was simply doing her job.
“His tirade of hate and abuse caused distress and anguish for the whole flight, and all of our thoughts today should be with the cabin crew and passengers who suffered from Iftikhar’s vile behaviour.
“Law Officers referred Iftikhar’s sentence to the Court of Appeal after several requests to review the case from members of the public.
“I hope this brings comfort and a sense of justice to those impacted, and underlines that our criminal justice system works for victims and vulnerable people.”
The court heard how Iftikhar downed champagne at the aircraft’s bar before turning hostile towards staff. “When told to stop, the defendant became irate and started filming cabin crew with his phone, telling them: ‘Do not tell me what to do you b****.’ When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: ‘Don’t tell me what to do you racist f****** b****. I know where you are from in Cardiff,'” Mr Kapadia said.
Iftikhar kept screaming abuse at Ms Walsh and made additional violent threats, prompting crew members to contemplate redirecting the aircraft. His wife was described as being “ashamed”, whilst their children watched in terror.
The menacing behaviour didn’t stop there – Iftikhar also declared he would detonate the floor of the crew’s accommodation. Despite his conduct, no measures were taken upon his arrival in Pakistan; he was only detained subsequently at his upmarket Buckinghamshire residence.
The judge remarked on Iftikhar’s “lengthy and appalling” criminal history, which featured six prior convictions including common assault. Prior to his imprisonment, Iftikhar lived the high life with a fleet of luxury motors including a Range Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce stationed outside his property.
Snaps reveal him striking poses beside a Royal blue Rolls-Royce boasting white leather upholstery.
A neighbour branded him as “very flash”, remarking: “He’s definitely very flash, someone who likes to flaunt his wealth. How he made his money is beyond me… He owned a Bentley and Range Rover but also drove different expensive-looking cars.”
Another resident commented: “He’d usually tear down this road in a Range Rover or some other powerful car. He was a bit of a poser when it came to cars and his house.”
Yet beneath the flashy exterior, Iftikhar’s commercial ventures weren’t always triumphant; a collapsed aviation recruitment business buried him under mountains of debt, leaving him owing more than £11million to HMRC and nearly £7million to HSBC when it collapsed into administration.
Despite being married in the UK, Iftikhar is married to a supermodel and actress back in Pakistan.
According to social media, Iftikar and Abeer Rizvi, 37, have been married for five years. The actress, who has more than half a million followers on TikTok, has shared loved up videos of the couple looking happier than ever, cuddled up together or attending film premiers together.
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