A MAN involved in a vicious attack on two youths -- with weapons including an umbrella -- has won his fight to have his sentence reduced.

Mohammed Fiaz, aged 32, of Queensgate, Heaton, Bolton was jailed for three years on September 12 last year.

Along with Imran Ahmed, aged 22, of Abel Street, Burnley, who was also jailed for three years, Fiaz had pleaded guilty at Bolton Crown Court to unlawful wounding.

Ahmed had also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a third man, now 20, pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 18 months detention.

London's Criminal Appeal Court reduced Ahmed and Fiaz's terms to two years because of the disparity between their sentences and that imposed on the third man.

Mr Justice Leveson, sitting with Mr Justice Morison, said that on October 7, 2001, Jeffrey Merrick and John Powell left a pub in Bolton looking for something to eat.

Four men, including Fiaz and Ahmed, pulled up in two cars. Fiaz went to the boot of his car and handed Ahmed a large wooden stick. He then took an umbrella out of the boot. The third man carried a large bottle.

Ahmed struck Mr Powell across the back of the head with the stick, resulting in him immediately falling to the ground unconscious. He then hit Mr Merrick with the stick.

Fiaz later joined in, striking Mr Merrick with the umbrella which soon fell apart. The third man began kicking Mr Powell, who was unconscious.

Both victims were treated in hospital. Mr Merrick had cuts to his head and upper lip, swelling, grazes and extensive bruising to his torso. Mr Powell had numerous bruises and grazes.

Both Ahmed and Fiaz were of previous good character.

The judge agreed that, as the case had been one of joint enterprise, Ahmed and Fiaz could regard as unfair the disparity between their terms and that given to the third man.

and had positive references. Fiaz was married and had three children, the youngest of whom had a rare blood condition.