THE trustee of a mosque subjected his wife to violence at least twice a week during their 20-year marriage, a court was told.

Father-of-three Ahmed Hussain, 44, of Ivy Street, Burnley, appeared in court accused of attacking his wife, leaving her black and blue and in so much pain she could not sleep.

During the hearing the court was told that Mrs Shameen Hussain was terrified of her husband.

She was said to have told police that she had been belted with his trouser belt and lashed with electrical equipment and wires.

She claimed that over time he had also punched her, hurled glasses and dishes at her and had started to strike her with any object he could get his hands on, Burnley magistrates were told.

Last May, Hussain was said to have battered his wife with a shoe in a two-hour onslaught in which he kicked and hit her after she had taken their daughter to the mosque.

Mrs Hussain was left cut and bleeding and with multiple bruises.

The court was told the defendant had not seen her or their children since the assault and would agree to a divorce if she wanted one.

Hussain admitted assault by beating and had been facing possible prison. But he was given 120 days in prison, suspended for 24 months, with 12 months supervision by magistrates.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said that after the assault she was in so much pain that she could not lie down or sleep properly afterwards. In addition, Mr Maude said her head was aching, and she had swelling.

Hussain had no previous convictions.

Hussain expressed shame and remorse and the court was told he presented a low risk of reoffending.

It was not revealed at court which mosque Hussain was a trustee of.

But after the case, Salim Mulla, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques said: "It is very disappointing that a man who the Muslim community would recognise as an influential figure, is involved in violence, as that does not make him a very good role model."