A CLITHEROE dad has pleaded with racists to leave him and his family alone.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mohammed Shazan had made more than 30 complaints to police about behaviour towards his wife and children before taking the law into his own hands and assaulting two 13-year-old boys who had been bullying his son.

And speaking after magistrates had expressed sympathy with his predicament and acknowledged a ‘greater degree of provocation’ he said: “I just want to look after my family. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to be left alone to live my life.”

Shazan, 31, of Whalley Road, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault. He was fined £110 with £20 victim surcharge.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the two boys had gone into Brass’ newsagents at about 3.30 pm. As they got to the counter Shazan came in and the shopkeeper said he looked really angry. He grabbed one of the boys and threw him against a display and then punched him to the back of the head.

He then started swearing at the other boy before hitting him across the back of the head.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said Shazan had lived in Clitheroe for 16 years and had three children aged eight, 10 and 11.

“Sadly, whilst living in Clitheroe there have been many racist incidents which they have reported to the police,” said Mr Ditta.

“As a responsible citizen he has contacted the police on a regular basis but on this particular day he lost his temper.”

Mr Ditta said Shazan’s youngest son had come home bleeding and said he had been tripped up by some boys at the shop.

“His child was upset and crying and he reacted as any father would,” said Mr Ditta. “He accepts he went beyond what was reasonable.”

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said it was not acceptable, however distressed the defendant had been, to go round hitting people, especially young boys.

“We are not ordering compensation because of the extensive historic provocation and the provocation at the time,” he said.

“It is noteworthy that, having viewed the CCTV, one of the boys appears to be a bit of a drama queen and the other didn’t seem bothered because he was juggling a ball.”