TWO cousins who beat up a man in a shop in front of customers have been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Asghar was repeatedly punched and kicked by attackers Zakie Ullah, 22, and Mohammed Ullah, 21, in the frenzied assault in Wilkinsons, Nelson.

A witness described how the pair, who were partly caught on CCTV, ‘looked as though they meant business’.

The defendants, both students at Leeds Metropolitan University, only stopped when an onlooker challenged them but then ran off.

Mohammed Ullah, of Waidshouse Road, and Zakie Ullah, of Lomeshaye Road, both Nelson, admitted assault allegations.

They were both given nine months in jail, suspended for two years, with 100 hours unpaid work and must pay £250 compensation. Neither had any previous convictions.

Michael Wallbank, prosecuting, said Mr Asghar had been married to Mohammed Ullah's sister, but they had divorced and, he would say, he had been having trouble with her brothers for a number of months.

Last November 9, he went into Home Bargains in Nelson, saw Mohammed Ullah with another man and decided to leave.

He went into Wilkinsons and was at the pick and mix sweets section when he heard somebody say: "Oi, mate."

He turned round and Mohammed Ullah punched him in the face, causing him to stumble.

Ullah continued to hit him, knocking him to the ground and the second defendant joined in.

Both punched and kicked him in the head and face while he was down.

Mr Wallbank said the victim said he had been punched about 20 times.

Mr Asghar was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises.

The prosecutor said Mohammed Ullah was arrested on November 13 and admitted being involved in an altercation but denied assault.

His co- defendant was arrested the same day, admitted his involvement and said he was ashamed of his actions.

Sentencing, Recorder Guy Mathieson told the defendants they had involved themselves in a ‘disgraceful’ incident for a ‘few seconds of revenge’.

He said: "You cannot act like that if you want to be responsible members of society.

“You either have to let this go, or find another way of resolving it."

The judge said the compensation to Mr Asghar was for his pain, suffering and humiliation.

He said: “That, I hope, will stick in your throats.”