Family feud ended in brutal beating

A YOUNG father beat up his uncle after a long-running family feud over property left him in fear for the life of his wife and children.

Faraz Ahmed, 19, of Fanshawe Avenue, Barking, pleaded guilty to assaulting his uncle, Ikhlaq Ahmed.

Magistrates heard the victim had been walking along Longbridge Road, Barking, at about 11pm on November 5 last year, when he heard his nephew shouting and swearing at him.

Faraz Ahmed followed his uncle into the Chunky Chicken and Pizza restaurant, in Longbridge Road, with another man and said: "I don't want to see you in Barking.

"I was born here, this is my town. Do you understand?"

His uncle then tried to leave but Ahmed held his jacket and told him to stop.

Ahmed and the other male started punching and kicking him until a member of staff stopped them and asked them to leave.

His uncle was taken to hospital, where he was treated for bruises at the back of his head.

On his way to the police station, he saw Ahmed again, who started shouting at him, saying: "We will not spare you.

"We will burn your house along with the people living in it."

Police later arrested him in Romford.

The defending solicitor told magistrates that there had been a long dispute between Ahmed, his uncle and his father related to a property in Pakistan.

He said the attack had not been completely unprovoked as the victim had assaulted the defendant on previous occasions at family gatherings or in the street.

At this occasion, the 19-year-old IT worker had lost his temper.

In a read statement, he said: "I feel that my life is not safe due to the scale of fear for my wife and children.

"I feel my life has come to a standstill

"I can't sleep due to the level of stress. I permanently fear that they will appear from nowhere and kill me."

Chairman of the bench, Michael Meades, asked for a probation report to be compiled until April 1, when Ahmed will have to return to Barking Magistrates Court at 9.30am for sentencing.

He was released on unconditional bail.