FOUR brothers have been jailed for a total of more than 96 years after their cousin was stabbed to death in a tragic family feud that exploded into extreme violence following a trivial row over a mop and bucket.

Mohammed Nasar, 32, must serve at least 30 years behind bars after being imprisoned for life for murdering Sarfraz Khan, 35, in an alleyway behind the family homes on Cecil Avenue, Great Horton, Bradford, late on Thursday, April 14, last year.

He wounded his cousins, Aftab Khan, Asad Khan and Idris Khan, with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm on the same night.

Tariq Mahmood, 26, also convicted by the jury at Bradford Crown Court on Monday of murdering Mr Khan, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum custodial term of 27 years. He joined with Nasar in causing Aftab Khan and Asad Khan grievous bodily harm with intent.

Amjid Ali, 39, and Amir Ali, 20, who were found guilty of Mr Khan’s manslaughter and of unlawfully wounding Aftab Khan and Asad Khan, were  jailed for 22-and-a-half years and 17 years respectively.

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, today said Sarfraz Khan was killed in a swift and merciless attack in which all  defendants played their part.

“He was well-respected and deeply loved and leaves four girls who will grow up to know their uncles killed their father,” she added.

Mr Khan was crouching down, possibly on one knee when he was attacked with knives by Nasar and Mahmood.

He suffered three stab injuries and died from a stab wound to the heart.

The judge said Mr khan had emergency surgery but could not be saved. He was pronounced dead two-and-a-half hours after trouble over the mop and bucket at the family factory.

The judge said they were very grave offences. The cousins had grown up together with bonds of close friendship. But joy turned to sorrow in 2015 with three marriage breakdowns.

“These breakdowns had a profound impact on all of you,” the judge said.

“It poisoned your lives.”

Nasar was a hot-headed man who regularly lost his self-control as his previous convictions showed.

When an inconsequential argument over a mop and bucket turned into a shouting match he threated to “finish it” that night.

The judge said the defendant’s “blood was up”.

After Nasar slashed his cousin Idris in the neck, a line had been crossed.

Amir Ali acted as a lookout at the beginning of the violence.

Nasar and Mahmood were armed with knives and Amjid Ali had an improvised weapon that sprayed noxious powered into the eyes of his opponents.

At the end of the violence when seriously injured Aftab Khan said: “They have used knives,” Nasar replied: “So what if we have?”

The judge told the four brothers “the calamity that has befallen your family is of your own making.”

The courtroom was packed for the sentencing and included 11 of the jurors who returned to court today.

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During the trial, jurors heard how Aftab Khan suffered a punctured lung and other stab wounds and Asad Khan sustained a deep cut to his face and stab wounds to his chest. 

Idris Khan suffered three slash wounds under his chin in an incident with Nasar ten minutes earlier. 

Nasar's barrister, Courtenay Griffiths QC, told today how the violence erupted spontaneously and lasted about 12 minutes.

It was unpremeditated and Nasar never intended to do anything other than cause really serious harm.

There had been an element of provocation, both at the ice cream factory and at the rear of Cecil Avenue.

"The defendants were responding to an attack on Tariq and Amir from other men," Mr Griffiths said.

"There must be an element of regret in relation to all parties, given the familial ties between them.

"It has created an unhealable rift in the family, who will remain torn apart after living such close lives for so long."

Tahir Khan QC, for Mahmood, said he was a self-employed family man with young children.

He acted as peacemaker at the factory, joining with his father in calming things down.

"In the extended family, Sarfraz's widow is the sister of these defendants and they are the maternal uncles of his children, who will have a heavy loss to bear," Mr Khan said.

Of the violence behind Cecil Avenue, he said of Mahmood: "This was a fast-moving incident that erupted without any warning and he acted impulsively."

Peter Birkett QC, for Amjid Ali, handed the judge a letter from his wife.

"This is an extremely unusual case and is, on any view, a tragic case for all concerned," Mr Birkett told the court.

Amjid Ali came on the scene just as his sister was being put to the ground. He did not use or have a knife and he did not intend serious injury to be caused to anyone.

Abdul Iqbal QC said Amir Ali was a teenager at the time and the youngest defendant by far.

"He had no criminal intent that night and he acted as a peacemaker at the factory, and at the front of Cecil Avenue when Nasar attacked Idris.

"He then realised that one or more of his brothers was armed and ready to fight. He did not intend really serious harm to be caused to any other person," Mr Iqbal said.

Amir Ali was attacked by three members of the opposing group, and kicked and stamped on.

"He was an innocent party up until the violence ensued," Mr Iqbal said.

His client was of good character and there was no evidence that he struck a blow to any of the victims.

Speaking after the sentencing today, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Swift, of the Homicide and Major Enquiries Team, said: "This case should serve as a reminder to all of what can happen when knives are used in disturbances.

"The consequences, as we have seen here, can be tragic and have a lasting impact on those involved and their families.

"Our sympathies remain with Sarfraz's family at this time and we hope this outcome will be of some comfort to them.

“We also hope those who have been sentenced for their part in this shockingly violent incident will use their time in prison to reflect on their actions, which sadly and needlessly led to the loss of a man's life."

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