Love split denial over fraud allegations

Tariq Mahmood agreed he had been arrested initially for harassment, but was prosecuted for common assault for spitting after the end of his relationship with Salima Hafejee but denied that had anything to do with his financial complaints against her.

It is alleged that Hafejee had railings and gates installed at her home in Highfield Crescent, Bradford, in 2007 and dishonestly arranged payment of 1,400 through the Ali Academy, a charitable organisation in which both were involved on the basis work had been done at its headquarters in Nessfield Street, Bradford.

Under cross-examination at Leeds Crown Court by Imran Khan, defending Hafejee, Mr Mahmood denied he had got a friend to fabricate a false invoice saying the work had been done so he could receive some money for it.

He said it was Hafejee who broke up the relationship "because she went on holiday with another man" and denied he continued to pursue her.

"It was Salima Hafejee who got the railings and gates and tried to make it out that Ali Academy had work done, had I known about that then I would have reported it then."

Hafejee, 44, who was awarded an OBE last year for services to the community, denies two charges of fraud and one of theft.

Keith Trout who fitted the railings and gate at her property said he had not asked for a deposit on the job because he was doing a favour for Mr Mahmood.

He had reduced the cost involved because he already had some of the metalwork on hand for a job that had fallen through and had accepted a 1,400 cheque writing on the invoice it was for work at Nessfield Street "because I wanted to make sure I got paid".

He denied he received 1,000 deposit from a man at the property.

The hearing continues.