Coronation Street ‘s Elaine Jones could hold the key to Yasmeen Nazir’s release, if she agrees to provide a statement in the upcoming trial.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Online, legal expert Sarah Jane Lenihan, partner at Stowe Family Law, revealed joint statements from Elaine and Alya Nazir could secure Yasmeen’s freedom before the court.
Yasmeen (Shelley King) is currently facing trial for attempted murder, after she stabbed her husband Geoff Metcalfe in the neck with a broken wine bottle.
Months of torment and abuse led Yasmeen to breaking point, and when Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) approached her with a kitchen knife, she lashed out to save herself.
Now, facing trial, Geoff’s intricate web of lies has made it a difficult case for the defence, as Yasmeen’s granddaughter Alya (Sair Khan) tries desperately to gather evidence against Geoff.
With Elaine’s cooperation, Alya could secure her grandmother’s freedom (Image: ITV)
Thankfully, the arrival of Geoff’s ex-wife Elaine (Paula Wilcox) could turn the tide, as she opened up about her experience of abuse on last week’s trip to Weatherfield.
Years of domestic violence led Elaine to flee her marriage, leaving Geoff and her infant son Tim Metcalfe behind as she created a false identity for her own safety.
Ahead of the trial, Alya reached out to Elaine, begging her to give a statement about their abusive marriage in an effort to save Yasmeen.
While Elaine’s statement won’t completely guarantee Yasmeen’s release, combined with Alya’s witness accounts, it could help turn the jury in her favour.
Alya will not rest until she sees justice, recent scenes have confirmed (Image: ITV)
Sarah Jane said: “Although a statement from Elaine may not be sufficient in itself to secure Yasmeen’s freedom it would certainly be worth having it before the Court and requesting her to give oral evidence.”
The Stowe Family Law partner explained Alya’s evidence will prove just as important as Elaine’s, as the two women could team together to expose Geoff as a “bad character”.
She said: “Often in domestic abusive situations there is no third party witnesses it is just one person’s word against another and therefore any third party evidence can be really helpful evidence.
Geoff had been tormenting Yasmeen behind closed doors for months
“What would be even more helpful would be if Yasmeen had anyone who could give evidence about Geoff’s behaviour towards her specifically such as Yasmeen’s granddaughter, Alya.”
Thankfully, Sarah Jane also revealed it would be unlikely for Yasmeen to get sent behind bars for attempted murder.
She said: “For Yasmeen to be found guilty of an offence of attempted murder it would have to be proven that she had an intention to kill and not merely cause grievous bodily harm.”
Yasmeen’s dreaded trial date is fast approaching on Coronation Street (Image: ITV)
Sarah Jane suggested – with statements from Alya and Elaine in tow – Yasmeen could convince the court the stabbing was an act of self-defence.
She said: “The intention to kill is inferred from the circumstances of the case if she can convince the jury that it was a response to Geoff’s behaviour towards her and it was a panicked response, it is unlikely that the intention will be found to be present.”
Can Alya convince Elaine to cooperate as the trial date looms?
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
