Brierfield takeaway boss denies violence (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Brierfield takeaway boss denies violence

9:00am Friday 17th August 2012 in News By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

A TAKEAWAY boss has denied involvement in a joint attack which left a man seriously injured.

Father-of-two Mohammed Arfan, 36, said he had nothing to do with the assault on Asif Hussain on Colne Road, Brierfield, on June 20 last year.

Arfan, who runs five branches of the Dixie Chicken franchise in the Burnley and Pendle areas with his family, said he had a number of previous convictions, but none for violence.

He said: “I am not a violent person. I am a businessman and I have two daughters. I don’t go round attacking people in the middle of the street."

The defendant, of Manchester Road, his brother Mohammed Nawaz, 44, of Hardy Avenue, both Nelson and their employee Mohammed Javed, 41, of Burnley Road, Brierfield, all deny causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Hussain, 39, with intent.

A jury at Burnley Crown Court has been told how Mr Hussain was left with a fractured skull, a broken leg and other injuries after three men were said to have jumped out of a car and attacked him with a hammer, hockey stick and knife at just after 8.30pm.

Mr Hussain alleges the defendants were responsible ‘without any shadow of a doubt’ and the prosecution claims the beating took place because the three defendants felt the alleged victim had been disrespectful towards them.

Questioned by his barrister, Anthony O' Donohoe, Arfan told the jury he was formerly a senior manager for Toyota in Washington DC, where he earned a ‘six figure’ salary, but he had returned to East Lancs on the death of his father as his family needed him. The defendant alleged he had earlier confronted Mr Hussain because, Arfan claimed, Mr Hussain had been using the car park of the Brierfield Dixie Chicken takeaway for ‘illegal activities’.

He alleged Mr Hussain, who had got angry and made threats, had later hit him in the face while he was delivering food.

Arfan claimed last June 19 he had feared for his life when, he said, Mr Hussain had got out of a car with a machete and ran towards his vehicle.

The defendant, who was later arrested, accused of criminal damage in connection with the incident, was asked by Mr O'Donohoe: “Did you make a death threat in Punjabi to Asif Hussain?” Arfan replied: “No, I did not.”

The hearing was told the damage allegation was dropped.

He told the jury he went home, chatted to his family, showered and changed and an employee arrived after 10pm, wanting to be paid. Arfan said he went to the Nelson takeaway, did the payroll, locked up at about 1.15am, walked home and then phoned relations in Virginia.

(Proceeding)