A man accused of trying to set up an arranged marriage has denied making threats to the future groom and his potential bride. 

Mahmod Asgher, 53, of Cann Hall Road in Leytonstone, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of harassment and one count of using violence to break into a property. 

Earlier this year, Asgher is alleged to have threatened Shabana Mohammed after he introduced his cousin Faisal Safdar to another woman, who was seen as a potential bride for an arranged marriage. 

Over the course of a week in April, Asgher is said to have harassed Miss Mohammed and told her she would marry Mr Safdar "over his dead body". 

Between April 1 and 8, the 56-year-old also allegedly harassed his cousin by making threats to hurt Mr Safdar and saying he would be willing to go to jail if his relative married Miss Mohammed. 

Police were called to Mr Safdar's address in Howard Road, Walthamstow, following reports of a break-in and a parked car set alight. 

Asgher is accused of forcing entry into Mr Safdar's home with two other cousins and making direct threats. 

The case, considered to be too serious for a magistrate’s court, has been committed to Snaresbrook Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on October 28. 

The Leytonstone resident has been granted conditional bail and told not to directly contact any of the persons involved or to enter Howard Road.