Iftikhar’s Jailed Term Quadruples Amid Double Life Scandal

I'mThe legal saga of Salman Iftikhar, the 37-year-old high-flying businessman of Pakistani ethnic identity, reached a decisive conclusion today following massive public and political intervention. His initial 15-month jail sentence for a terrifying mid-air assault on a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, Angie Walsh, has been dramatically increased to four years and three months by the Court of Appeal. This quadrupling of the term is a direct result of widespread outcry under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The ULS Scheme and Public Demand for Severity-Iftikhar's initial 15-month sentence, handed down on August 1, 2025, for threats to kill and racially aggravated intentional harassment, was instantly branded insufficient. The public response was swift and furious, generating numerous requests for a review. The case quickly drew political attention when the Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp MP, and other members of the public referred the matter to the Law Officers.

The Solicitor General, Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, confirmed the referral, stating that the law officers acted after receiving several requests from the public to review the case. She emphasised that Iftikhar’s "horrific threats of rape and violence" and his "tirade of hate and abuse caused distress and anguish for the whole flight," highlighting that the increased sentence was necessary to ensure the criminal justice system provides comfort and a sense of justice to victims like Ms. Walsh, who described herself as "broken" by the ordeal. The revised sentence is being widely hailed as a victory for justice, signaling that racist and gendered violence, particularly from figures of wealth and influence, will not be tolerated in UK courts.

The Anatomy of the Attack and Iftikhar’s Background-The shocking incident occurred on a flight from London to Lahore, Pakistan, on February 7, 2023. Travelling in first class with his family, the father-of-three, who resides in Iver, Buckinghamshire, became hostile after being asked to return to his seat. The tirade, partially captured on disturbing footage, included vile slurs directed at Ms. Walsh and explicit threats that she would be gang-raped and killed at her hotel. Iftikhar, who was intoxicated, escalated his threats by claiming he would blow up the crew's accommodation. No action was taken upon landing in Pakistan; he was later arrested at his upmarket home.

Despite the glossy exterior—Iftikhar possessed a fleet of luxury cars, including a Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Range Rover—his financial life was in shambles. His aviation recruitment business, Staffing Match, had collapsed into administration, leaving him facing mountains of debt, reportedly owing over £11 million to HMRC and nearly £7 million to HSBC. Neighbors often remarked on his "flash" and "poser" demeanor, suggesting a desperate attempt to flaunt wealth that masked deep financial distress.

Adding to the controversy, Iftikhar maintains a complex personal life, being married to two women: one in the UK and his second wife, 37-year-old Pakistani supermodel and actress Abeer Rizvi. Rizvi, who has a large social media following, has publicly shared videos of the couple looking affectionate even after the public revelation of Iftikhar's shocking crime. This juxtaposition of a privileged, public lifestyle with a pattern of severe criminal behaviour has only fuelled the public’s outrage.

Criminal History-Iftikhar's conduct in the air was a reprehensible act of racial and sexual intimidation driven by a grotesque sense of entitlement. His drunken rage and terrifying threats—made in front of his own family—demonstrated a complete moral decay. The court noted his "lengthy and appalling" criminal history, which includes a total of six prior convictions, including common assault. This history underscores a persistent pattern of aggression and disregard for the law and the safety of others.

Critics argue that the initial 15-month sentence failed to account for the aggravating factors of racial abuse, threats of sexual violence, and the highly vulnerable environment of an aircraft. The decision to increase the jail time to over four years is seen not just as punishment for his crimes, but as a critical judicial recognition of the severe harm caused to Ms. Walsh and the imperative to deter similar high-status abuses of power.