Riot hero ‘punched man to the ground’

A FATHER who was credited with helping calm last summer’s riots accused a man of staring at his wife before punching him to the ground, a court heard.

Tariq Jahan – who won special recognition for his help in quelling the violence last August – allegedly assaulted Sajjad Ali after the pair got into a row.

Mr Ali told Birmingham Crown Court Jahan, 6, drove up to him in his car and said: ‘Oi, why you staring at me?’ before getting out and then accusing him of ‘staring at my missus’.

Mr Ali, 3 , alleges he was grabbed by the throat by the defendant, punched in the face and knocked to the ground, then kicked or punched again. The incident happened on July 6 last year.

Jahan, who denies one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, made an emotional appeal for peace just hours after the death of his 21-year-old son in Birmingham in August.

Haroon Jahan and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir,

‘Staring at my missus’

31, were struck by a car in the early hours of August 10 during disorder in the Winson Green area.

They were pronounced dead in hospital and hailed as heroes who died protecting homes and shops from looters.

Jahan later made a heartfelt plea to crowds of youths gathered outside his home to end the disorder and ‘go home’.

His personal call for calm was credited with helping to bring an end to the riots.

He subsequently received a Pride of Britain special recognition award for his compassion and dignity in the aftermath of his son’s death.

Mr Ali told the court Jahan’s manner was ‘really aggressive’ when he approached him. He said he thought the attack lasted five minutes, adding: ‘It was just bang, bang, bang on my head.’

He was later treated for two fractures to his jaw.

The trial continues.