Judge wanted to get tough on gang warfare (From Keighley News)

Judge wanted to get tough on gang warfare

8:00am Thursday 18th June 2009

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Seven people — six of them teenagers — have been locked up for their part in a violent gang battle on a busy Keighley street.

But the judge said he would have meted out tougher punishment to the “Top Enders” and “Bottom Enders” if he wasn’t “hidebound” by the law.

Despite his comments, police this week said they hoped the sentences — which ranged from eight months to two years — would act as a deterrent to other young people tempted to get involved in similar acts of violence.

Airedale and North Bradford CID and Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working in close liaison for the last 18 months to investigate disorder between rival factions in Keighley.

Bradford Crown Court was shown graphic video footage of two groups clashing in Lawkholme Lane last September. An innocent family with two young children could be seen cowering against a wall, just feet from the violence.

Prosecutor Simon Myers said the trouble involved factions in Keighley calling themselves the Top End and Bottom End.

Almost all the defendants were on bail at the time for a similar affray at Greenhead School in the town.

Mr Myers said: “This was a violent disorder in which knuckledusters were used and some missiles were thrown.”

The video footage showed a car pulling up and members of one gang getting out. They clashed on the street with their rivals and a number of men were seen to be throwing punches.

Mr Myers said the incident began with the two groups gesticulating towards each other across Lawkholme Lane. After shouting and posing, the groups went their separate ways. A few minutes later the Vectra car pulled up.

Judge Roger Scott said he was “hidebound” by the law and the Court of Appeal in the sentences he passed.

He said: “Gang warfare should be discouraged by deterrent sentences.

“The video shows two gangs delivering violence, albeit for a short time, on a main street in Keighley. That will not be tolerated by these courts.”

He added: “I feel these sentences are extraordinarily lenient.

“Also, for reasons I don’t understand, perhaps to do with trying to keep prisons and other custodial establishments free of customers, any time spent on bail subject to a curfew for nine hours means you are entitled to - and will receive - a reduction in your sentence.”

Asif Umar Hussain, 22, of Victoria Park View, Lawkholme, who drove the car to the street, was jailed for two years. The judge said he was the orchestrator.

Suhail Choudry, 19, of Lawkholme Lane, who was seen using a knuckle-duster, was sentenced to 20 months youth custody, with a further four months for possessing a CS gas canister.

Adnan Malik, of Kendal Mellor Court, Keighley, and Kifyaath Farid, of Albany Court, Utley, both 18, were sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institution.

Two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were all sentenced to an eight-month Detention and Training Order.

Soheib Tahir, 18, of Spencer Street, Keighley, was remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date when reports have been prepared.

Detective Inspector John Mountain told the Keighley News that the convictions were a significant breakthrough for Operation Knowledge, which - working with many other partners - is currently involved in several ongoing investigations of a similar nature.

“This was a disturbing incident in broad daylight close to the town centre,” he said. “Such incidents won’t be tolerated and will be vigorously investigated.”

Other alleged disorder incidents currently under investigation include one at Belgrave Road - more than 22 people are presently on police bail in connection with that.

Det Insp Mountain, who oversees the team dedicated to tackling disorder and other serious crime, added: “It’s a minority of people who are giving the rest of the town a bad reputation.

“What has been refreshing recently is the number of people in the community who have been prepared to come forward and assist the police.”

Anyone with information about incidents of disorder or other crime is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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