Second wife of jailed tycoon issues two word 'defence' over air hostess 'gang rape' threat

One of the wives of a wealthy businessman who threatened to gang rape a Virgin Atlantic air hostess mid-flight has appeared to defend him online, sparking outrage.

Shocking footage showed Salman Iftikhar, 37, making vile threats to crew member Angie Walsh, even promising she would be attacked in her hotel after landing. He later escalated the situation by threatening to blow up thefive-star hotel where cabin crew were due to stay, reports The Sun.

Iftikhar was jailed for 15 months at Isleworth Crown Court after admitting charges including making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment.

Now, one of his two wives has posted a cryptic message apparently in support of her disgraced husband. Supermodel and actress Abeer Rizvi, 37, urged people to "be human" and have compassion for those struggling behind the scenes.

Rizvi posted to her Instagram followers: "Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story there is pain you don't see. Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human."

The Pakistani actress, followed by over half a million fans online, often shares glimpses of her life with Iftikhar. However, Iftikhar actually lives in the UK with another woman, Erum Salman, 38, who is also mother to his three children.

The family reside in a £2million six-bedroom home in Buckinghamshire and run a London-based staffing company that trains businesses in customer service and manufacturing. Erum and their children witnessed the shocking incident unfold during the eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore on February 7, 2023.

Prosecutor Abdul Kapadia told the court how Iftikhar drank champagne at the onboard bar before becoming aggressive with staff. "When told to stop, the defendant became irate and started filming cabin crew with his phone, telling them: 'Do not tell me what to do you b***h.' When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: 'Don't tell me what to do you racist f***ing b***h. I know where you are from in Cardiff,'" Mr Kapadia said.

Iftikhar continued hurling abuse at Ms Walsh and threatened further violence, forcing crew members to consider diverting the flight. His wife was reported as being "ashamed", while their children looked on in horror.

The threats didn't end there - Iftikhar also claimed he would blow up the floor of the crew's hotel. Despite his behaviour, no action was taken when he arrived in Pakistan; he was only arrested later at his luxury Buckinghamshire home.

The judge noted Iftikhar's "lengthy and appalling" criminal record, which included six previous convictions such as common assault.

Before being jailed, Iftikhar enjoyed a lavish lifestyle with an array of high-end cars including a Range Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce parked outside his home. Photos show him posing with a royal blue Rolls-Royce featuring a white leather interior.

A neighbour described him as "very flash", saying: "He's definitely very flash, someone who likes to flaunt his wealth. How he made his money is beyond me... He owned a Bentley and Range Rover but also drove different expensive-looking cars."

Another local said: "He'd usually tear down this road in a Range Rover or some other powerful car. He was a bit of a poser when it came to cars and his house."

Despite outward appearances, Iftikhar's business dealings were not always successful; one failed aviation recruitment venture left him millions in debt, owing more than £11million to HMRC and nearly £7million to HSBC when it went into administration.