Seven men involved in a violent incident resulting in multiple charges including attempted murder and arson have been sentenced following a recent court hearing. The events, which occurred five years ago, involved attacks that caused serious injuries and property damage.

Haris Mahmood, 22, who was 17 at the time and had no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and two counts of arson with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 23 years and nine months in prison. His defense lawyer, Balbir Singh, emphasized Mahmood’s youth at the time and argued that the offense was poorly planned and lacked premeditation. Singh stated that Mahmood had expressed remorse and was unlikely to reoffend.

Ali Abbas, 23, also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life. Abbas, aged 18 when the offenses occurred, received a 25-year sentence. His legal representative, Andrew Baker, described him as generally law-abiding and hardworking, referencing his employer's positive comments and requesting the court to avoid imposing a life or extended sentence.

Among those convicted after trial, Shakil Uddin, 23, of Oldham, was sentenced to just over three years for attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life. Uddin’s counsel, Kate Wilkinson KC, urged caution in interpreting video evidence and portrayed him as having been drawn into the incident involuntarily while coming to the aid of others. She noted Uddin’s change in character and his current caregiving responsibilities.

Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah, 25, was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and given an 11-and-a-half-year sentence. His lawyer, Matthew Harding, acknowledged the seriousness of the injuries inflicted but noted that Sufyaan-Shah, 21 at the time, was not a leading figure in the incident and had potential to reform.

Tayyeb Majeed, 24, of Longton, received a 10-and-a-half-year sentence after conviction for grievous bodily harm with intent. His defense, led by Jason Bartfield KC, stressed that Majeed was not involved in the arson and that it would be inappropriate to hold him responsible for the consequences of the fire.

Riyadh Iqbal, 23, was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years after his conviction on charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent. Mitigating counsel Michael Mather-Lees KC conceded the gravity of the offenses but characterized Iqbal, who was 18 at the time, as a follower rather than a leader and acting outside his usual character.

Lukman Khan, 25, also received a 12-and-a-half-year sentence for similar charges. His lawyer, Gary Bell KC, said Khan, 21 during the events, expressed remorse and participated late in the incident without involvement in procuring materials used in the arson. Bell acknowledged that Khan did break a window with a baseball bat during the disturbances.

The sentences reflect the court’s calibration between the severity of the offenses and varying degrees of involvement, maturity, and remorse among the defendants. The incident, which involved significant harm and risk to life, continues to have lasting repercussions for those affected.