Muslim Defendant Must Remove Veil to Give Evidence, Jury Hears

Rebekah Dawson

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Rebekah Dawson appears in court for her trial on witness intimidation charges wearing a full-face veil, but will have to take if off before entering the witness box, court is told

A Muslim woman accused of witness intimidation has been ordered by a judge to remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence.

Rebekah Dawson, 22, attended the start of her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London on Wednesday wearing a full-face veil.

Judge Peter Murphy warned the jury hearing the case that it was “quite wrong” to be prejudiced against anybody because of their expression of religious faith.

He said Ms Dawson was “fully entitled” to dress as she chose and warned them to put aside any personal feelings they had about her attire.

However, he told jurors that he had ruled that she must remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence. » | Sam Marsden, and agencies | Wednesday, January 22, 2014