FOUR men from Burnley have been jailed for a total of 37 years for their part in the murder of Mohammed Raja Shafiq.

Mohammad Bilal Bhatti, 21, of Holcombe Drive has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to Mr Shafiq's murder.

He has been told he must serve at least 18 years.

Shazad Akhtar, 17, of Scott Park Road, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the manslaughter of Mr Shafiq.

Omar Khalid, 19 yrs of Fairfield Drive has been sentenced to three years for violent disorder and Shadab Akhtar, 19, of Scott Park Road, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison, again for violent disorder.

Mr Shafiq, of Nelson, died after he was attacked in Thompson Park in Burnley. He had gone to the park after his son said he was being attacked.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome from the Force Major Investigation Team said: "I am satisfied with the sentences handed out by the court today. They reflect the seriousness of the events that day that left an innocent man dead.

"I believe that these sentences send a clear message that such actions can never be justified in a civilised society. These teenagers carried out a violent attack on a defenceless man who they killed in front of his own son. "The four men are all young which, in my mind, makes the outcome even more tragic. They must now spend every day reflecting on the consequences of their actions - actions that cost Mr Shafiq his life.

"I would like to pay tribute to Mr Shafiq's entire family for the courage they have shown and for their strength and support throughout the criminal justice process. I hope this now brings a sense of closure for the family and that they can be left to grieve in peace for their tragic loss."