A WOUNDING victim suffered a lacerated pancreas when he was kneed in the stomach during a pre-arranged street fight in Bradford.

Hasan Awan, who also had bruising to his adrenal gland, needed hospital treatment for five months, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Kirsten Mercer said that Mr Awan, 19, and his 17-year-old brother, went to Heights Lane, Heaton, at 2pm on May 5, 2014, where there was to be a pre-arranged fight.

She said a group of men - including Usman Hussain, Bilal Hassan, Shabaz Khan and Amar Ali - arrived in two cars, which screeched to a halt in front of the brothers.

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Miss Mercer said Mr Awan knew all the defendants. He had been friends with Hassan until the week before, when they fell out over the sale of a motorbike.

She said there was shouting and swearing between the two groups of men. Hussain approached Mr Awan, grabbed his clothing and pulled him towards him. He then began kneeing him with some force in the stomach.

Miss Mercer said the complainant was aware that the others were involved in trying to get him to the ground. The attack stopped and the defendants got back in the cars.

Mr Awan was taken by taxi to Bradford Royal Infirmary. He had severe pains in the stomach and a CT scan revealed a laceration to the pancreas. He was referred to St James's Hospital in Leeds for further tests and treatment under the care of a consultant surgeon. He continued to receive hospital care until October 17 when a drain which had been fitted was removed.

Hussain, 20, of Norwood Avenue, Shipley, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. Hassan, 21, of Bury New Road, Salford; Khan, 22, of Shipley Fields Road, Shipley; and Ali, 23, of Norwood Road, Shipley, pleaded guilty to affray.

The court heard none of them had committed any offences since the incident nearly two years ago.

Andrew Dallas, representing Hussain, said that all parties were participating in a fight and the case would not have come to court but for the unfortunate and unintended internal injury suffered by Mr Awan.

Judge David Hatton QC said each defendant had played a part in an incident of violence with another group which was a pre-arranged confrontation.

He added: "The fact that the violence was consensual does not significantly diminish its seriousness, because people do not want violence on their streets."

Sentencing Hussain to 18 months youth custody suspended for two years and ordering him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, Judge Hatton said he had caused his victim very serious injury, but he accepted he had not intended to do so.

The other three defendants were given two-year community orders. Hassan was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work, and Khan and Ali were ordered to do 80 hours.