A 20-year-old man who misguidedly took the law into his own hands was given a suspended prison sentence by a judge at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Aqib Ali, of Northdale Road, Frizinghall, Bradford, pleaded guilty to wounding Kamran Zeb and was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid community work and a 30-day medium level activity.

Prosecutor Nikki Peers told the court Mr Zeb had been in a relationship with the defendant’s sister for six months, which her family disapproved of.

On November 1 last year, Mr Zeb was asleep at his home in Lumb Lane, Manningham, Bradford, when he was disturbed by a noise and was confronted in his hall by a group of nine or ten men, some wearing masks.

He was struck on the head and shoulders with a wheel brace and tried to run, but was followed by the group which continued to attack him, raining blows on him.

Mr Zeb suffered head wounds which were glued at hospital.

Ali was arrested and pleaded guilty on the basis that he was part of the group, but did not have the weapon.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said Ali had acted in a cowardly way. But he had the potential to be a sensible and hardworking young man. The judge said Mr Zeb’s beating had been completely unjustified.