Nelson man parked up and challenged victim to a fight

Blackburn magistrates heard Mauneer Raza reversed his car towards the other man before parking up and challenging him to fight.

The victim was then punched repeatedly, knocked to the floor and hit over the back of the head with what he described as a hard metallic object.

He said he was "left in a heap" in the middle of the road.

Raza, 36, of Stanley Street, Nelson, was convicted after a trial of assaulting Kaleem Shah causing him actual bodily harm. He was made subject to a community order for 18 months with 200 hours' unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation, £650 costs and £85 victim surcharge. He was made subject to a restraining which prohibits him from having any contact with the aggrieved for 12 months.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the two men had known each other for a number of years but there were difficulties between them. On the day of the incident Mr Shah was at home watching TV with his partner and their two-year-old child when he heard a car horn being sounded outside for about 30 seconds.

"He went out to see what was going on and found the defendant in the car shouting abuse at him," said Mrs White.

"He saw the reversing lights come on and the car came towards him. This was repeated a couple of times before the defendant drove up the road and parked the car."

He came back shouting at Mr Shah to "come on" and then punched him.

"Mr Shah recalls several punches to his face and he fell to the floor, grazing his face," said Mrs White. "He was then hit on the back of the head."

Mrs White said as a result of the attack Mr Shah received a broken toe, dislocated left thumb, a broken nose, grazes to his chin and face and a lump and cuts to the back of his head."

John Rusius, defending, said the incident was out of character for his client who was highly thought of in the community.

"He has been very remorseful about getting himself into this situation," said Mr Rusius.