Northampton Child Marriage Case

By Aneeta Prem

The Northampton Child Marriage Case is a legal first with real value for child safeguarding. In January 2026, the CPS said it prosecuted a faith leader for carrying out an under-18 nikah ceremony after the law changed to ban marriage under 18 in England and Wales. Even though the two young people asked for the ceremony, the CPS said it was still unlawful. That detail matters because the law protects children, not adult choices made around them.

This post sets out the facts. It also explains the roles of the police and the CPS. Finally, it shows why language can shape safety.

What happened

On 19 January 2026, the CPS published details of the case involving Ashraf Osmani, 52. The CPS said he carried out a nikah ceremony at Northampton’s Central Mosque for two 16-year-olds in November 2023. The CPS described this as the first case of its kind since the new minimum age law came into force.

Safeguarding concerns were reported to Northamptonshire Police, according to the CPS. As a result, police involvement brought the case into the criminal justice system.

The court result

The CPS said the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts. The court imposed a custodial sentence, suspended for a year. In addition, the CPS said the court made orders for costs and a surcharge. The CPS also confirmed lifelong reporting restrictions for the children.

A suspended sentence still counts as a prison sentence. The court delays it. If the person breaks conditions, the court can activate custody.

What the law says

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the legal minimum age to 18 in England and Wales. The change took effect on 27 February 2023. Therefore, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer marry or enter a civil partnership, even with parental consent.

The law also strengthened the forced marriage offence. It makes it an offence to carry out conduct intended to cause a child to enter a marriage before their 18th birthday. Importantly, it can apply whether or not there is violence, threats, coercion or deception.

Why “they agreed” does not settle it

The CPS stated there was no forced element or coercion in this case. However, that does not remove the offence. The law exists because children can face pressure that looks like agreement from the outside.

Children also sit within adult authority structures. Meanwhile, adults can present a ceremony as “normal” even when it is illegal. That is why Parliament raised the age.

Why religious-only ceremonies still matter

Many families treat a religious ceremony as a real marriage, even without registration. For that reason, the forced marriage law defines marriage broadly enough to cover ceremonies that a community treats as binding. In short, a religious-only ceremony does not remove legal risk.

The police role: first contact decides safety

The CPS does not investigate crime. Police do. So, the first response can either protect a child or leave them exposed.

In the Northampton Child Marriage Case, the CPS said safeguarding concerns reached Northamptonshire Police and the case followed. That chain of action is the lesson. When professionals act early, the system can step in. When professionals minimise, risk stays hidden.

The CPS role: charging depends on the file

The CPS makes charging decisions based on evidence in the police file. Therefore, the quality of the file matters. A clear file helps prosecutors show the full picture and apply the right charges. By contrast, a thin file makes safeguarding harder to prove.

This case shows what can happen when concerns are raised, evidence is gathered, and the law is applied clearly.

Why language matters

Public bodies often use the phrase “honour-based abuse”. Freedom Charity uses dishonour abuse because perpetrators use “dishonour” as a weapon to punish and control.

Language does more than describe. It can also steer decisions. If the system repeats the abuser’s framing, even by habit, it can soften risk. If the system names the conduct, it can act faster.

For our definition and safeguarding framework, use this internal link:
https://freedomcharity.org.uk/dishonour-abuse/

What professionals should do now

This case points to practical actions:

• Treat under-18 marriage risk as child safeguarding from the start.

• Record who arranged the ceremony and who drove it.

• Act quickly if travel is planned or passports are mentioned.

• Keep evidence safe, including messages, screenshots and call logs.

• Avoid family mediation where a child is scared.

• Get specialist advice early.

Government guidance on forced marriage support and protection routes is here:

“Children should never carry adult consequences. The Northampton Child Marriage Case matters because it shows the law can protect a child even when adults try to wrap illegality in a ceremony. Safeguarding must act early and name the harm.”

Aneeta Prem

What does this mean next

This legal first should not be treated as job done. Under-18 ceremonies can still happen in private. Therefore, training, reporting and early action matter.

When agencies apply the law with confidence, more children will stay safe. If agencies hesitate, perpetrators will keep exploiting silence.

FAQs

Is child marriage illegal in England and Wales?

Yes. The minimum age is 18, with no exceptions for 16 or 17-year-olds.

Can an under-18 nikah ceremony lead to prosecution?

Yes. The CPS said this case involved an under-18 nikah ceremony and resulted in prosecution under the amended offence.

Why prosecute if the young people asked for it?

Because the law protects children even where adults claim consent.

CPS press release (19 Jan 2026):
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/northampton-imam-sentenced-underage-marriage-ceremony-legal-first

Legislation change (Marriage and Civil Partnership Minimum Age Act 2022, s2):
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/28/section/2

Forced marriage offence definition (Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s121):
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/12/section/121

MoJ news story on implementation date:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/implementation-of-the-marriage-and-civil-partnership-minimum-age-act-2022

College of Policing guidance overview:
https://www.college.police.uk/guidance/major-investigation-and-public-protection/honour-based-abuse/honour-based-abuse-guidance-overview

GOV.UK forced marriage help:
https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage

GOV.UK forced marriage guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage

CPS forced marriage page:
https://www.cps.gov.uk/types-crime/violence-against-women-and-girls/honour-based-abuse/forced-marriage