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'Miracle that no-one died'

1/10/2002

IN the first two Oldham riot trials the prosecution have claimed it was a miracle no-one died when Asian gangs went on the rampage.

Prosecutor Mukhtar Hussain QC told Manchester Crown Court that the rioters played out a deadly cat and mouse game ambushing police and passers-by.

He was addressing the court at the trial of Noor Miah who he said had played a significant part in the troubles. He was spotted by a dog handler hurling missiles at police and was said to be a "main offender."

Using a 15-minute video compilation combining film from Greater Manchester Police and footage captured by TV crews Mr Hussain described how one of the biggest incidents of public disorder in modern history unfolded on the quiet terraced streets.

The jury was told how the trial was concerned with the "Westwood riot" spanning Sunday 27 and 28 May - similar violence having occurred in nearby Glodwick to be dealt with separately. Police were initially called after a large group of Asian men were blocking roads and attacking passing motorists. Private properties including pubs were struck with bricks and petrol bombs.

As the violence escalated police called in re-enforcements from neighbouring towns including special dog handlers and the force helicopter was mobilised.

The Asian gang, whose numbers had swelled to over 100-strong, hurled missiles at the officers including bricks, stones, lumps of concrete and petrol bombs. The force helicopter, using infra-red cameras, tracked small groups of men emerging from side streets before converging on Middleton Road and Chadderton Way.

Mr Hussain said: "The helicopter saw them blocking the road then attacking passing cars, they were bricked, stoned and kicked it. The police were sent in but every time they dispersed the gang they regrouped larger than before. They were playing a deadly cat and mouse game. Each time they dispersed they regrouped elsewhere.'

He told the jury there was "clear evidence" that Miah played a part in the troubles.

Defending Miah, Mark Fireman said there was no evidence to suggest the defendant was involved in the firebombing of any pubs and buildings. He said: "There's no evidence to suggest he caused any damage or injury."

Two others who were found guilty of riot were each given three-year sentences. They were student Mohammed Islam, aged 21 of Maygate, Chadderton and Mehtab Hussain, aged 23 from Kersley Street.

In a separate trial four men were caged for a total of 14 years for their parts in the riots. Majid Hussain, aged 19 of Belgrave Road, admitted to throwing petrol bombs at police and received six years in a young offender's institute. Student Irfan Khalil, 22, of Park Road was arrested after being caught driving around with Hussain. He was caught on video film as he threw missiles at the police. He received three and a half years in jail.

Father-of-four-Farooq, 37, of Clifton Close ran a takeaway in town. He was caught on police videos throwing stones at a police car in Glodwick Road. He was filmed from the police helicopter pushing a Rover car as part of a large gang. He received three years imprisonment.

A 17-year-old youth from Oldham who cannot be named because of his age was arrested after police executed a search warrant at a house in Glodwick in January. A policeman spotted the youth lying in bed and recognised his face from the weekend riots and he was handed an 18-month detention and training order.

The court heard that they were part of a 500-strong mob which descended on Glodwick after a dispute involving white and Asian youths.

Prosecutors said the mob began attacking and destroying everything in its path and laid siege to the Live and Let Live pub.

All four defendants pleaded guilty the day their trial started.

Passing sentence Judge Barry Woodward said: "It is difficult to imagine a riot of greater proportions. I've seen you in action and formed a proper view that none of you were on fringes of this riot."