THREE members of a West Yorkshire family have gone on trial accused of murdering an Elland man last summer and attempting to murder his brother.

Billy Khan, 34, suffered a fatal stab wound to the stomach during a violent confrontation in the Poplar Court area of Elland last August.

His 29-year-old brother Yusuf also suffered serious internal injuries during the incident, but a jury at Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday that medical intervention had saved his life.

Prosecutor Tom Bayliss QC alleged that the violence was sparked by the “'antagonistic and disrespectful behaviour”' of the brothers towards Kayshan Farooq’s 51-year-old father Mohammed.

The court heard that the day before Mr Khan’s death he had been evicted from his flat in Charles Street, Elland, but he returned later to collect his belongings and became involved in an argument with Mohammed Farooq.

Mr Bayliss told the jury that Billy Khan had previously been involved in anti-social behaviour such as congregating with others outside the Farooqs’ home in Langdale Street, causing trouble and drinking.

He alleged that the Farooqs harboured considerable enmity towards Billy Khan and an argument developed when he tried to kick down the locked door to his flat.

Police officers arrested Billy Khan on suspicion of causing criminal damage to the door, but he was released the next day without charge and three hours later he was pronounced dead in hospital after being fatally stabbed.

During his arrest Billy Khan had struggled with the officers and Kayshan Farooq accused him of disrespecting his father.

“'The anger demonstrated by Kayshan Farooq on that Thursday because of the disrespect shown to his father by Billy Khan provides a powerful motive for what occurred the following day,”' submitted Mr Bayliss.

Billy Khan returned to the Langdale Street area soon after his release and Yusuf Khan described his brother as “'fuming”'.

The jury heard that Billy Khan believed the Farooqs had informed the police and threats were allegedly made to Mohammed Farooq to fight him.

The threats were reported to the police, but when the Khan brothers returned to the area shortly before 5pm there was a further confrontation with Mohammed Farooq and his 40-year-old brother Miftah Ul-Haq.

Mr Bayliss alleged that Ul-Haq went to his home in nearby Elizabeth Street and armed himself with a carving knife which he later used to stab Billy Khan in the abdomen causing a wound which penetrated 22cm into the stomach.

Kayshan Farooq was also alleged to have been carrying a small knife during the attack which was witnessed by various local residents.

Mr Bayliss said the fatal blow to Billy Khan was delivered by Ul-Haq, but he alleged that all three men were involved in the attack which had a common purpose.

Yusuf Khan managed to jump over a wall and flee the scene despite suffering knife wounds to his torso.

The three defendants have all denied the murder and attempted murder charges.

They have also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of wounding Yusuf Khan with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Ul-Haq and Kayshan Farooq, 29, have also denied an allegation that they intimidated Yusuf Khan’s girlfriend who witnessed the attack.

The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.