THREE men have appeared before a judge over an alleged assault in Blackburn which left three male victims in hospital.

Hamza Ishtiaq, 19, Waqas Ghazanfar, 28, and Sheraz Malik, 37, all of Whalley New Road in Blackburn, appeared before Judge Christopher Cornwall at Preston Crown Court this morning.

Their appearance was in relation to an alleged alleyway assault in Whalley New Road on July 8 in which three men were attacked with a knife, a machete, a pick axe and a dog chain.

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All three are charged with violent disorder, whilst one of them also faces a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

No pleas were taken and the men will next appear at the same court on October 20. A provisional trial date has been set for January 16.

Ishtiaq was released on conditional bail to live at an address in Blackpool,and has been banned from entering Blackburn. He has been made subject of a curfew to stay indoors between 9pm and 5am. Ghazanfar and Malik were remanded in custody.

The three male victims of the alleged assault, aged 32, 36 and 41, were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment on a combination of head and facial injuries.

There injuries were not life-threatening, police said, and have all since been discharged.

A 15-year-old boy from Blackburn who was arrested in connection with the alleged assault has been bailed until August 31, whilst a 34-year-old man from Blackburn was released with no charge.