Shezad Zaman, 37, the owner of DAC Car Wash in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, has been handed a suspended two-year jail sentence after being convicted of assaulting, strangling and stalking his former girlfriend. The victim, a woman in her 20s, suffered serious injuries including bruising, a broken nose and a perforated eardrum. She described her treatment as 'something you would see in a horror film'.
Details of the abuse
The abuse took place between 2023 and last year. The victim said Zaman would trap her in cars, hide keys, smash her phone and even put her car in a ditch to prevent her from escaping. He demanded constant phone location tracking and isolated her from friends. In a victim impact statement, she said: "I was strangled to the point I accepted I was going to die at the hands of somebody who was supposed to be my protector." She also recounted that Zaman threatened to "take my beauty so nobody else would want to be with me again."
Sentencing and restraining order
Zaman, of Baldwins Lane, Hall Green, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on June 5. He received a two-year jail sentence, suspended, and was banned from contacting the victim under a ten-year restraining order. The court heard that Zaman was once known for positive headlines when he hired homeless man Kriss Wilkes in 2018, but that arrangement soured within a month over disputes including pay.
Impact on the victim
The victim described living in constant fear and control. She said Zaman's actions left her with lasting physical and psychological scars. The case highlights the severity of domestic abuse and the importance of supporting victims. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, stalking and assault cases are taken seriously, and perpetrators face significant legal consequences.
