The co-founder of Heavenly Desserts, which has stores in the West Midlands, was caught up in a street brawl, a court heard
The co-founder of Heavenly Desserts was caught up in a street brawl(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
The co-founder and managing director of restaurant chain Heavenly Desserts “struck out with a metal baton” during a fight between two gangs in a residential city road.
A court heard how Yousif Aslam, whose company has a turnover of £38 million, also “pushed or headbutted” a man following a neighbour dispute about noisy cars, reports DerbyshireLive.
The 39-year-old, of Normanton, described as the person who “struck the first blow” during the incident, was then accompanied by three other associates, one of whom pulled out a machete from his waistband.
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And while the three brothers from the rival group were all cleared of any charges after a trial, Aslam and his group all admitted affray.
Sentencing the quartet at Derby Crown Court, Judge James Carter stated: “The delay in this matter is down to the (rival group) having a trial and each of them were found not guilty by a jury so it seems to me they decided each of them were acting in self-defence.
“Muhammed Yousif (the name Aslam was prosecuted under), you started all this by striking the first blow,” he continued.
“You instigated this matter and brought the baton to the scene but ultimately you were disarmed and it was used on you.”
Hal Ewing, prosecuting, said the incident took place in Callow Hill Way, Littleover, almost five years ago on August 16, 2020.
He said: “It was an affray in the street and various driveways in a residential area of Derby about cars being driven past.
“During the course of the incident weapons were produced including a metal cosh and a large blade.
“Muhammed Yousif goes across the road and at first he is not acting aggressively and is waving to the others to go back.
“But it is also right (that) he struck the first blow either pushing or head-butting one of the brothers (in the other group) and then produced a metal extendable baton and struck out with it.
“He is then pushed over in the fight and drops the baton.
“The other three defendants then come across and one of them (Mijanur Mannan) pulls out a machete from his waistband and starts waving the blade.”
Aslam, of Cummings Street, was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 costs.
William Bennett, his barrister, said his client has never been in trouble before and hasn’t since.
He said: “This is a neighbour dispute of sorts where the other group had been keeping the neighbours awake driving cars and revving engines.
“You may wonder why he armed himself and that is because the other group had something of a reputation.
“He found that cosh in a car park.
“He started as the peacemaker and when he is approached, he then reacts and uses it himself. But he is instantly disarmed and struck to the head, which had to be glued. Yes, he’s the spark but he’s not really the ringleader. He bitterly regrets his actions and has given it a lot of thought since.
“He is a massively impressive man, being the founder of the Heavenly Desserts franchise which at the time had 34 branches and now has 64 and is branching out internationally.
“It has a turnover of £38 million a year.”
Manna, 47, of Chellaston Road, Shelton Lock, was handed a 26-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 costs.
Mark Knowles, his barrister, said his client has twin children and has been working in a carpet shop.
He said: “Money is very tight for the family in general.
“Clearly this was a dispute between two families and there has been no repetition of any trouble since.”
Khuram Akhtar, 32, of Ferndale Road, Bakersfield, Nottingham, was given a 10-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £800 costs.
Gregor Purcell, mitigating, said: “He is in employment and his pleas were entered four years ago.
“He and the others have remained out of trouble since.
“It was a serious matter between families which might have caused some alarm.”
And Majid Latif, 45, of Keble Grove, Walsall, was given an eight-month conditional discharge.
He was ordered to pay £800 costs.