Ten jailed for mass brawl with weapons in street

TWO MEN SUFFERED LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES IN SHOCKING INCIDENT

- By ANDREW DOWDESWELL

TEN men have been jailed for their involvement in a mass brawl which included machete and baseball bat attacks in Calderdale.

On February 5, West Yorkshire Police officers were called to Mile Cross Road in Halifax after reports of people fighting in the street with various weapons. The mass brawl included people carrying a machete, baseball bats, planks of wood and other household items used as weapons.

It left two men with life-changing injuries. A man was assaulted with an axe in a connected attack on March 11.

In all, more than 35 people were arrested as part of the investigation into the attacks: 21 were charged with a range of offences, including conspiracy to commit violent disorder, violent disorder, possession of offensive weapons and criminal damage. Three defendants went on trial in July, while the remaining defendants pleaded guilty.

Of the three people who pleaded not guilty, Mohammed Khalji, aged 48, of Pear Street, was found guilty by jury, Usama Usman, aged 28, of Rhonda Place, gave a guilty plea mid-trial, and Nohaze Afzal, aged 41, of Gibbet Street, was found not guilty. A further five are awaiting trial, expected in May 2027.

At Bradford Crown Court on December 9, the sentences issued were: