Harry Potter star Afshan Azad beaten, branded prostitute

London (ANI): A Harry Potter actress was assaulted and branded a 'prostitute' by her family after dating a young Hindu man, it has emerged. The 22- years-old Afshan Azad played Padma Patil, a classmate of the teenage wizard, in the blockbuster Hollywood films based on the children's books by JK Rowling.

She was beaten, called a 'slag' and threatened with death after dating a young Hindu man, a relationship which brought anger from her father Abul Azad, 53, and brother Ashraf, 28, Manchester Crown Court heard. The frightened star later fled through her bedroom window after threats were made to kill her.

Both men were charged with making threats to kill her and her brother was also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his sister. "The incident took place on Saturday 21 of May at the home address of the family in Longsight, Manchester," the Daily Mail quoted Richard Vardon QC, prosecuting, as telling the court.

"The prosecution allegation in essence is she was the victim of a wholly unnecessary and unpleasant assault by her brother. The reason for the assault, apparently her association with a Hindu young man, that apparently being disapproved of by her family who are Muslim. Specifically she spoke not only of assault but also threats to kill, made jointly by her father and brother," Vardon added.

The prosecutor then gave details of the incident. "The father, having been awoken from his slumbers, with his son shouting: Sort out your daughter! She's a slag! He continued to further assault her, in disputed Bengali, shouting, Just kill her! The assault continued. There was a discussion where she was being called a prostitute."

The threats to kill her apparently continued, the witness told police in a statement. Reading from the victim's statement, Vardon added: "My father began saying he would do it, a reference to kill her, as he did not want his sons to have her blood on their hands and he would do time for it.

"Then she began to feel very scared. Having gone to the police in respect of these matters she made a statement to the police on 22nd of May. Part of her version of events was that he was going to force the complainant into a forced marriage of some sort."

However, after going to police she 'made it plain' to officers and lawyers that she did not want any action taken against her family, or the arrest of her father or brother otherwise it would put her in 'genuine danger'. "She came to police for help and support, and the arrest of her family members would not be of assistance," Vardon added.

Her brother pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on May 1 this year. Her father agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months in the sum of 500 pounds.