A MAN was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to an attack he claimed he had not played a part in.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Adeel Ashraf, 20, of Belfield Road, Accrington, told his solicitor he wanted to plead guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm because he had done wrong by being involved.

Ashraf was with two other men who beat up Naved Ali as he walked home from work, the court heard.

Recorder Roger Farley QC told Ashraf he had been involved in a "terrible assault" and added: "You may be the least player but you played a part in it."

John O'Shea, prosecuting, told the court in March last year Mr Ali was walking along Blackburn Road, Accrington, from his work about 6.25am.

Mr O'Shea said two men went towards Mr Ali and wanted to fight when Ashraf appeared on the scene.

All three men said they wanted to fight and one pulled an implement from a bag in his jacket and swung it around his head, the court was told.

The court was told that Mr Ali was kicked and punched, suffered pain and bruises and had to have nine stitches to two cuts.

Joe Boyd, defending, said Ashraf was very much the third person involved and added: "His family is so concerned about the future for him they are relocating to Birmingham."