A MAN attacked his cousin with a metal bar as part of a family feud involving land in Pakistan, a court heard.

Preston Crown Court was told Shabaz Ahmed Sarwar, 36, accompanied by Farhan Tariq, 19, attacked Waqar Khan with a metal bar on Railway Street, Nelson, in May last year.

The court heard Mr Khan, who was with his nephew, was attacked by the two men and suffered injuries to his face, back and leg.

Robert Elais, prosecuting, said: “This started due to a dispute in the family, the defendant and Mr Khan are cousins.

“The dispute is about land back in Pakistan.

“The quarrel between the families had manifested itself in this unfortunate attack. Mr Khan and his nephew were in his Volkswagen Sharan car parked up on Railway Street in Nelson.

“As Mr Khan sat there the side window was smashed.

“He got out of the car and the two set about him.”

James Heyworth, defending Sarwar, 36, said: “The offences are now 12 months old. It’s clear he’s managed to take charge of himself.

“The probation services are willing to work with him.”

When asked by the court if the family feud had finished, Mr Heyworth said: “My understanding is there has been a ceasefire."

Guy Mathieson, defending Tariq, said: “He’s a young man with no previous convictions.

“He entered his plea as clearly a secondary player, he’s a follower and not a leader.

“He was part of a family dispute by chance. This is clearly a one-off.”

Sarwar, of Larch Street, Nelson, and Tariq, of Vaughan Street, Nelson, both pleaded guilty to affray.

Sarwar was given a 16-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 150 hours’ of unpaid work, as well as observing a restraining order which will last two years.

Tariq was given a 12-month community order and required to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work.

The pair were told to pay £500 towards damage costs.

Judge Jonathan Gibson said: “This was a sustained attack on Mr Khan. There was more than one person, it happened at night.

"It could have been much worse with the bar being involved.

“You are both largely settled in your personal and working lives. Clearly looking at what happened this was principally your (Sarwar) offence.”