Pakistani tortured by relatives in Britain

London, March 31 (IANS) A 27-year-old Pakistani-origin man was beaten and physically tortured for three years by his relatives who regarded him as a financial burden, a British court has heard.

Ghalib Hussain, of Accrington, Lancashire, was tortured because he cannot read and write, the Burnley Crown Court heard. The incident took place between January 2007 and July 2010.

He was punched in the face when he failed to learn Arabic and was warned he would be buried alive and have his tongue ripped out, the Daily Mail reported.

Hussain was whipped with a belt and a stick by his family members, led by his 72-year-old uncle Nek Alam, and Alam's sons Janghir Alam, Zahir Alam and Zahoor Alam.

The four went on trial accused of false imprisonment, making threats to kill and causing grievous bodily harm.

Hussain also had to kiss the feet of his uncle and was not allowed to eat until he was told to.

He was rescued in July 2010 by police who found him at his home unable to stand due to a broken right hip.

Such regular beatings were because he was seen by his family as "slow in the head" and a "mental case", the court said.

The jury was told Hussain had been unable to read or write and to speak little or no English and had little or no formal education.

Hussain came to Britain in 2006 from Pakistan as a result of an arranged marriage to Nek Alam's daughter, Sofia.

She later rejected her husband and Hussain was left stranded in the Alam household.

Because of his problems, he was unable to work, and as a consequence, the financial burden for his care and upkeep fell upon the rest of the family.

All four men have pleaded not guilty.