Elland man says: My dying brother saved me

Apr 23 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A 30-YEAR-OLD man has told a murder trial jury that his own life was saved by the actions of his brother.

Yusuf Khan spent five days in hospital after being stabbed in the chest during a violent confrontation in an Elland street last summer and yesterday he told Bradford Crown Court that it was his brother Billy who saved him.

Mr Khan described how he was backed up against a wall and being attacked by two men when he heard his 33-year-old brother’s last words.

He said he heard Billy shouting “Get off him” as he pulled one of the attackers away.

“What stopped the attack on you?” asked prosecutor Tom Bayliss QC.

“My brother, God bless his soul,” replied Mr Khan.

“I believe he saved my life. At that moment I thought I couldn’t take any more stabs ... I certainly believe he saved my life.”

After seeing his brother stabbed Mr Khan said he ran for his life and was pursued by Miftah Ul-Haq, 40, and his nephew Kayshan Farooq, 29.

“Kayshan and his uncle both had knives and Kayshan said out loud ‘I’m going to kill you Yuffy’ and repeated it,” alleged Mr Khan.

He told the jury that despite his injuries he managed to stumble over a garden fence, but added: “I said to myself if you don’t get up now you’re dead..”

Mr Khan described the men as looking like “wild animals”, but said they eventually gave up the chase and he was helped by a friend of his brother who put him into his van.