News

Councillor beats punch charge


11/12/2003

AN OLDHAM Councillor has been cleared of assaulting a party colleague after magistrates decided it had been a "relatively minor scuffle" between two fellow Liberal Democrats.
Councillor Mohib Uddin had stood accused of 'kicking and punching' Mohammed Newaz. Mr Newaz was standing as a candidate in the Coldhurst ward on local election night, 1 May.
The disturbance occurred at Maygate Polling station and local bobbie and owner of the Queen's Police Medal attended the scene.
He told Oldham magistrates court he saw Councillor Uddin kick Mr Newaz. Later Councillor Uddin was arrested.
But Mr Uddin denied striking or kicking.
After hearing the evidence magistrates chairman Vincent Dickson said the incident had been relatively minor and a number of people were involved in a scuffle in a confined space.
He said it was clear there was disagreement between Councillor Uddin and Mr Newaz but it was not clear what it was about.
He concluded "We have decided that the evidence against Mr Uddin does not meet the required standards for prosecution and accordingly the case against Councillor Uddin is dismissed."
Speaking after the case Councillor Uddin said: "I am absolutely delighted by this verdict.
"I have now had my day in court and I think it has been shown that the matter was taken out of context.
"I would like to thank all the people who supported me and the people who came to court to give evidence. I have no ill-feeling towards Mr Newaz or the prosecution solicitor who had a job to do.
"It has been a stressful time and my reputation was on the line so I am delighted that the facts were listened to.
"I have maintained my position that I was innocent of this charge and now I have been vindicated."


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