Barber Jailed For 'Humiliating' 10-Year-Old With Bad Haircut

A Bedford barber has been jailed for eight months after deliberately giving a young boy a buzzcut and then making him tidy up his own hair off the floor.

Abdulrahim Omar, 21, was arrested by East Midlands police in December after cutting the 10-year-old's hair as a punishment.

He accepted a charge of Actual Bodily Harm in relation to cutting the boy's hair off, which he said that he did to teach him a lesson.

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The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had tried to shave his own head and was punished with a number one all over cut from Omar.

The child was said to be 'proud' of his hairstyle and was made to sit through the haircut while others laughed at him, before being forced to sweep up his own hair off the floor. The boy felt so humiliated by the incident that he called the police afterwards and reported Omar.

"The young man was proud of his hairstyle and felt that it was important to him. He suffered psychological and physical harm," said prosecutor Alex Radley.

"The aggravating factor in this unusual case is the age of the victim and the fact he was subject to punishment and humiliation," added his co-prosecutor, Martin Mulgrew.

Mitigating for his client, Ahtiq Raja said: "Mr Omar recognises he made a grave mistake. He fully understands it now. He is of previous good character and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is very, very sorry for his actions.

"He knows there is no excuse and knows what he has done is fundamentally wrong. The actions were a one-off."

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Judge Richard Foster added: This offence was the premeditated humiliation of a 10-year-old. It was despicable conduct to treat a child in that way. There is no excuse for what you did. It was a most disgusting piece of humiliation."

Abdulrahim Omar had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to the charge of ABH. He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to eight months in prison, although it may yet be suspended.

"This crosses custody threshold. The only question is whether I suspend it or not," said Judge Richard Foster.

Topics: UK News

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]