![FD25P00001 - [2025] EWHC 892 (Fam)](https://backend.juristeca.com/files/emisores/logo_0FrGysm.png){kind=logo}
Further, F engaged in a pattern of controlling behaviours to subordinate and isolate M
Further, F engaged in a pattern of controlling behaviours to subordinate and isolate M:
F manipulated M to believe their marriage was legally recognised in the UK, effectively denying her the protection of a legal marriage;
M lost her job because F forced her to stay in the UAE during the Covid quarantine hotel rules as he refused to pay for the cost of staying in a quarantine hotel;
F imposed decision to move to Dubai, which isolated M from her support network; F told M that it was not her choice and he is making the decision for both of them;
F and his family opposed the idea of M working after marriage; M was expected to cook, clean and manage the household chores and was only able to work for a short time when F knew where M would be or if it was working with somebody he knew……
F would have control over what M was allowed to wear; he did not allow her to wear certain clothing items unless he approved. He wouldn’t allow M to wear jeans, as they made her figure visible which would attract other men and certain tops because they were not long enough to cover M’s bottom. He demanded that she change into clothing of his choice, asserting that as her husband, she was obligated to obey him;
M had to be at home when F came home from work. She had to have made the evening meal ready because he would be very cross if the meal was not made or ready on the table for when he arrived home;
If F called M, she was expected to answer the phone. If she did not, he would keep ringing her and then message her and make her feel guilty for not responding straight away. F states in a message: “I’m not your mate or work colleague that you can call back in your free time. Not cool. Am I some clown?”
F did not like M going out and would control who she was allowed to be friends with. He told her that she did not need friends and that she should prioritise him over everything;
F did not like her speaking with her family; whenever M would be on the phone to her family, F would get agitated and give her a reason to end the call;
Moreover, F engaged in financially controlling and abusive behaviour towards M:
M was wholly dependent on F financially. F gave M his debit card to use in Dubai, on which he would put a certain amount every month and monitor every transaction that M made. He would get alerts to his mobile each time the card was used and F would regularly question M about what exactly she had bought, wanting a breakdown of what M had spent and on what;
F would not allow M to spend money on anything unless he approved;
F refused to open M a bank account in Dubai;
F would take cash that was gifted to M by his family or friends on occasions such as 'Eid';
F would take M’s wages off her when she was allowed to work for short periods.”
The mother also alleges the father was abusive to S. Her evidence is that he was physically abusive by putting a foot on S’s chest; pinching his arm and slapping his thighs. These incidents took place on different occasions.
She explains that she is S’s primary carer and the father worked long days 5-6 days a week.
She does not agree to contact taking place without a full assessment of the father’s coercive and controlling behaviours. (Although I note Mr Rustin informed the parties and the court for the first time that she would agree to supervised contact at a contact centre in the north of England.)
She details S’s family in England, which includes both grandmothers, aunts and uncles.
Her second witness statement states: “Under no circumstances do I wish for myself or my son [S] to return to the UAE due to the level of domestic abuse in form of physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual abuse that I have endured over the past five years of my marriage to the Applicant. I have no family, friends or any form of support system in the UAE and I am deeply concerned for our safety and well-being if it were ordered for [S] to return.”
She explains her concerns about returning in respect of accommodation, uncertainty over her residence visa and her lack of employment. She is anxious about the lack of mirror orders in the UAE. She fears S may be taken to Pakistan (where the father was born). She states the father made her get a Pakistani ID earlier in their marriage.
She has reservations about the safety of contact between S and the father. She fears the father being abusive towards her and is concerned about how she would be protected in the UAE. She explains why she believes she and S are habitually resident in the UK. She explains her lack of friends and family in Dubai and her lack of any connections. She explains S and her have access to the NHS in England and a general practitioner. She explains she was forced into the move to Dubai by the father and did not want to move. She says she lost all her independence there.
She sets out greater detail of the domestic abuse she alleges was inflicted upon her by the father. She details the incident with the knife and the rape. She states a social worker told her the father has a history of being reported by former partners for abuse.
She has filed a schedule of allegations.