Teenager who attacked 'bully' was 'provoked'

Zeeshan Khan (19) was spared jail by Burnley magistrates, after he “lost it” and was involved in the attacks on Daneshouse Road, in the town. The violence was caught on CCTV, the hearing was told.

Unemployed Khan, of Gordon Street, Burnley, admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon, last June 21st. He was given eight weeks in prison, suspended for a year and must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The bench said there had been “significant provocation”.

The court was told one of the two brothers had started to goad members of the defendant’s family who were sitting on a wall, but they didn’t rise to it. His brother tried to pull him away from the Khans.

The defendant approached, holding an iron bar and assaulted the brothers. One suffered a cut to his head and the other had minor cuts and abrasions.

His solicitor Deborah Morgan said it was Khan’s first appearance before a court. She continued: “He didn’t start the trouble. There was some provocation, but he accepts he over-reacted to a significant level.”

She added: “His mother and father are disappointed he finds himself in this position, but fully support him.”

A probation officer who interviewed the defendant said he hit a known bully who picked on people, and who had sworn at his family and incited them, he said, to fight.

The officer continued: “He basically lost it and the whole thing kicked off. He picked up a metal bar that was about. He does acknowledge hitting the victim.”