Second man charged after stabbing disorder

Lancashire Police said the outbreak of violence in Accrington was linked

A second man has been charged over a stabbing that was followed by an armed street fight and other violent attacks, police have said.

Lancashire Police found a man with stab wounds in his back on Friday on Lower Antley Street in Accrington, close to the Raza Jamia Masjid mosque, and were later called to reports of a fight on nearby streets and an incident where another man was found stabbed in the neck.

The force said Aiwaz Hussain, 22, had been charged with section 18 wounding after the three incidents, which officers were treating as linked.

Ishtaq Hussain, 33, of no fixed address, has also been charged with a range of offences in relation to the disorder.

Hussain was charged with section 18 wounding with intent, section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a bladed article, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Both Ishtaq Hussain and Aiwaz Hussain have appeared before Blackburn Magistrates Court.

Neck wounds

Police officers were called to Lower Antley Street about 14:30 BST and found a man in his 40s with stab wounds to his back.

The force said he had since been discharged from hospital.

Later that day at about 17:15, officers were called to Steiner Street where "a dozen people were fighting in the street with weapons", a police spokesman said.

Minutes later, police were also called to an assault on Craven Street where a man was found with stab injuries in his neck.

He was taken to hospital and was said to be in a serious but stable condition.

Officers have said they want to track down three other men from Accrington who have link to Coventry and the West Midlands in connection with the attack outside the mosque.

The force has also appealed for anyone with information about the disorder, including any footage, to come forward.

A 36-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman, all from Accrington and all arrested on suspicion of affray, have been released on bail pending further inquiries, police added.