A MAN who unleashed his crossbreed pit bull into a fight has been banned from keeping dogs for life.

Quadir Ahmed, 23, let loose the animal on a street in Accrington in May 2007 to fight a dog owned by his friend Liaquat Ali.

But Ahmed, of Perth Street, Accrington, was only caught by police 18 months later when he sat at the back of the courtroom during Ali’s trial.

Days later, he was arrested and charged with illegally possessing a pit bull-style dog and causing it to fight.

Yesterday, Ahmed, who appeared via video link from Preston Prison, where he is being held on unrelated offences, was also given a two-year conditional discharge and an order was made to destroy the dog.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the offences.

Hyndburn magistrates heard Ahmed and Ali were filmed by an onlooker letting loose their two dogs on each other.

The court was shown shocking footage of the snarling animals ripping into one another before Ahmed apparently broke up the fight.

Ali was later charged by police but refused to name Ahmed as the other man.

However, he was seen at Ali’s trial and arrested soon after.

As well as being disqualified from owning dogs for life he was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £350 compensation.