VIDEO: 'Mr Yummy' is spared jail over Blackburn ice cream turf war (From Lancashire Telegraph)

VIDEO: 'Mr Yummy' is spared jail over Blackburn ice cream turf war

9:33am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Jessica Cree, Education reporter

AN ICE cream seller caught on film in a fracas with a rival vendor has been spared a jail term.

Zeheer Ramzan, 34, was found guilty of assaulting father-of-three Mohammed Mulla, in Palatine Road, Blackburn, in an apparent turf war.

The argument, in which Ramzan was armed with a crowbar, was caught on video by horr-ified neighbours, and led to one million ‘hits’ on YouTube.

ABOVE: The YouTube video of the incident

He was seen breaking a window in the Mr Whippy van of Mr Mulla, who then hit the back of Ramzan’s Mr Yummy van, on June 2, as he tried to get away.

The clash happened as the sellers refused to allow each other to scoop away their business. Ramzan, of Kingston Close, Halifax, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage, and possession of a weapon in a public place.

After a trial in November, he was found guilty of assault with intent.

Blackburn magistrates accepted Mr Mulla’s version of events, that he had been struck on the arm with the crowbar, and then showered with glass from a smashed window.

Ramzan had claimed that the glass smashed accidentally.

During sentencing at Preston Crown Court yesterday, Ramzan was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. At an earlier hearing, Ramzan had been warned that he could be sent to prison.

The judge also ordered Ramzan to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, pay £100 compens-ation, and £800 costs.

Ramzan was also made subject of a two-year restraining order.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Mulla said: “It’s a relief to see justice done. The incident was terrifying and I was frightened to go out afterwards.

“I am very relieved.”