A man who married a 14-year-old girl has sobbed in a Melbourne court as a judge was told he thought he was “rescuing” the young bride.
Mohammad Shakir, 35, has pleaded guilty to marrying an underage person during a ceremony at suburban Noble Park in September 2016.
Prosecutor Krista Breckweg told the County Court on Wednesday it was a very serious example of the offence, and the first prosecution of its type in Australia.
Shakir knew the girl’s age and had been warned by child protection authorities against the relationship the day before the marriage, she said. It amounted to exploitation, and cultural misunderstanding was not an excuse, Ms Breckweg added.
“He lied in his recorded interview. He knew this was not right,” she said. Defence barrister Sophie Parsons said Shakir came to Australia by boat as an asylum seeker from Myanmar and struggled to fit into Australian life. He felt coercion from the girl’s mother and the former imam who conducted the marriage, she said.
“Mr Shakir saw himself as somewhat rescuing the complainant and becoming that supporting figure in her life,” she said.
Ms Parsons added her client wanted to apologise to the Australian community. He felt ashamed for his conduct and genuine remorse, and understood that upon jail release he will be sent to immigration detention.
“He understands it is because he has done the wrong thing.” “He feels your honour he has destroyed his life.”
Shakir is due to be sentenced on Thursday.
