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A British schoolgirl was allegedly kept in a cage for four years by her Muslim father who disapproved of her Western lifestyle, a court heard.

Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, was moved to Saudi Arabia from her home in Swansea by her dad when she was 16 and claims she has been starved and physically abused.

The High Court in London was told yesterday that she remains in captivity at Mohammed Al-Jeffery's home in Jeddah and has been refused to marry the man of her choice, according to The Times.

The newspaper reports that the 62-year-old father works at Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and is said to be receiving funding from the Saudi Arabian government to contest the court order to return his daughter to the UK.

(Image: Getty)

Mr Al-Jeffery is said to have moved to Wales, along with his eight other children, before his daughter was born where they received benefits and sent them to British schools and univiersities.

Henry Setright, QC, representing Miss Al-Jeffrey, told the court she was taken to Saudi Arabia because her father disapproved of her "relationships and conduct".

He added that the girl's father believed she was "someone he has a duty to control, including her freedom of movement".

British lawyer Anne-Marie Hutchinson said she had briefly spoken to Miss Al-Jeffery when she briefly escaped from her father's home, the newspaper reports.

(Image: Getty)

She said: “She is a normal Welsh girl and still has her Welsh accent.

"She wants to return home so she can have control of her own life and make her own choices."

The court was also told that Mr Al-Jeffery allegedly refused to allow his daughter to visit the British consulate over fears she could be granted "sanctuary".

The forced marriage unit of the Foreign Office said Saudi authorities refused to accept her dual citizenship, adding that "steps need to be taken to ensure Amina is returned to the UK where her safety can be guaranteed".

Mr Justice Holman said that the jurisdiction of the British courts was unclear because al-Jeffrey was now an adult with dual Saudi and UK citizenship.

The hearing continues.