Ambreen Sheikh: Police watchdog investigating case handling
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation into contact West Yorkshire Police (WYP) had with a woman in the weeks before she suffered life-changing injuries in 2015
Last updated 22nd Feb 2024
The watchdog is to investigate how West Yorkshire Police handled the case of a wife who was left in vegetative state by her relatives.
Ambreen Sheikh moved in with the family in 2014, in Huddersfield, after coming over from Pakistan following an arranged marriage.
After months of her living with Asgar Sheikh and his family, the court heard she wasn't meeting expectations.
Ambreen who is now 39 years old, was splashed with a chemical substance and given diabetic medicine in 2015, which left her unconscious with a brain damage.
WYP referred itself to the IPOC, after comments made by the judge during sentencing last Wednesday 14 February.
The judge referred to concerns raised by members of the extended family and two police officers did a welfare check in July on Ms Sheikh but reported her as being fit-and-well.
The judge said she attached "little weight to that assessment" as Ms Sheikh spoke little English and her father-in-law was present during the visit.
On 1 August 2015, police were notified after she was admitted to Calderdale Royal Hospital with severe chemical burns and a significant brain injury.
The IPOC's independent investigation will look at the nature of the police contact with Ms Sheikh prior to 1 August 2015, as well as the actions and decision-making of those involved.
Ambreen's husband Asgar Sheik, 31, was jailed for seven years and nine months, along with his father Khalid Sheik, 55, and mother Shabnam Sheikh, 52.
Asgar Sheikh’s brother, Sakalayne Sheikh, 25, was given a six month sentence, suspended for two years and his sister, Shagufa Sheikh, 29, was given an 18 month sentence, also suspended for two years.