THE jury in the trial of five Asians accused of violence during last year's Burnley riots were due to retire today to consider their verdicts.

Mohammed Bashir, 22, of Forest Street, Burnley; Mohammed Nawaz, 35, of Lord Street, Brierfield; Asif Khan, 24, of Francis Street, Burnley; Tariq Saddique, 28, of Azalea Court, Blackburn and a 17-year-old from Burnley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all deny offences of being involved in the disorder in the town in June.

During the trial Preston Crown Court has heard that gangs of Asians carrying sticks, machetes and even a sword went out on to the streets of Daneshouse, following rumours that an Asian taxi driver had been injured or killed by white racists.

A group of Asians confronted a gang of whites in Colne Road but were prevented from fighting by police.

The trial had repeatedly been told that the Asian community of Daneshouse was under siege by whites and that they went out on the streets to look after their homes and families.

But the prosecution has said these claims were not true and that the actions of the five accused of violence had gone way beyond what could be considered as self-defence.

(Proceeding)