A CABBIE was attacked with two iron bars after four family members paid a midnight visit to his taxi office, a jury was told.

Abdul Majid, who claimed he was earlier threatened with death on the phone, told Burnley Crown Court he was also kicked and hit in Leeds Road, Nelson.

Mr Majid had to stay in hospital for four or five days after the alleged beating on March 29.

Three of the four said to be involved -- Azmat Hussain, 56, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson; Shoukat Hussain, 50, of Chapel Street, Colne, and Mohammed Tafseer, 42 of Lancaster Gate, Nelson -- all deny assault causing actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

Mr Majid told the court he previously worked for Alpine Taxis but after an incident with his wife he moved to Pendle and UK Taxis.

The driver said on the night of the alleged assault he was working and got a call from Shoukat Hussain asking him where he was. He told him he was working and went back to his office to pick up a passenger.

Mr Majid said he noticed four people, Hussain, Azmat Hussain, Mohammed Tafseer and Aftab Shoukat, in a car and he was then chased and hit from behind.

He claimed Azmat Hussain was carrying what looked like a wheel spanner concealed in his jacket. Azmat Hussain hit him first, across his left shoulder.

Questioned by Julian Taylor, prosecuting, Mr Majid alleged he was hit with two weapons. He went on: "I tried to grab hold of them. They were kicking and hitting me and I fell to the ground.

"Before that they had been making telephone calls to me, threatening they would kill me."

Mr Majid said "all four of them" hit and kick him. Police were called -- although he did not know who by -- and he was taken to Burnley General Hospital.

Richard Hunt, for Azmat Hussain, said arguments between Mr Majid and his wife had been a problem within the family at the beginning of the year and Aftab Shoukat had made it his business as well.

Mr Majid said: "He shouldn't have done so because it was between us as a couple."

Mr Hunt asked Mr Majid: "This particular time and meeting had been arranged by you, hadn't it, with Shoukat Hussain?"

He replied: "Yes. Shoukat rang me and asked me where I was. He wanted to see me."

The barrister suggested senior members of the family had attended by arrangement to resolve the problems between Mr Majid and Aftab.

(Proceeding)