Prison escape for ‘naive’ club knifeman

A MAN caught with a knife outside a nightclub has escaped jail after claiming he was trying to find out who was to blame for an attack on his brother.

Siran Ghaffar (21), of Bedfordshire Close, Oldham, said he had no intention of using the blade but had been “naive” because he claimed the man who had attacked his brother had a knife.

Ghaffar pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon after an incident outside the SK1 nightclub in Stockport town centre and was handed a four month jail sentence suspended for a year.

Ghaffar had consumed a litre of whisky with a friend before a night out in October last night.

His brother had been assaulted inside the nightclub, and he had found a utility tool with a knife attached to it which, the court was told, had been dropped at the club.

The incident then spilled to outside the club.

Ghaffar was captured on CCTV outside the nightclub shouting and remonstrating with another group of men.

When police officers arrived Ghaffar dropped the weapon into a grid in the road.

Sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court, Recorder Mr Osbourne, said, “You made a number of stupid decisions.

Given the amount you had had to drink, it may have ended up with a very serious offence being committed.”

The recorder said he took into account Ghaffar’s previous good character.

Defending, Bernard Begley said, “This is a typical situation for some men who underestimated the level of his alcohol intake.

“His brother was assaulted, and he became embroiled in that incident. Although no weapon was used on his brother, the person who assaulted him had the item that was found.

“I wish to make clear the extent of my client’s naivety. “