A PIZZA delivery boy employed by the Accrington takeaway boss accused of murdering his mother-in-law was ordered to scrub the back yard of the takeaway on the night of her disappearance, a court heard.

Irfan Ahmed, who worked at the Millennium takeaway in Church Street, said his boss Muhummad Arshad told him to clean the yard using washing-up liquid, an industrial de-greaser and a brush, the jury was told.

He was told health and safety officers were due to visit and the place needed to look clean.

Arshad, 37, who ran the takeaway with his brother, is accused of murdering Zeinab Begum, a 56-year-old mother-of six.

His brother Mohammed Sharif Khan - known as Shazad - who also married a Begum daughter, is charged with assisting with the disposal of her body parts.

Both men deny the charges.

The prosecution has alleged Mrs Begum's body was chopped up on the takeaway premises.

In the second day of the trial at Preston Crown Court, jurors also heard Mrs Begum's cousin Gulum Rasool say he had overheard Arshad tell police she had gone missing because her daughters were mistreating her.

Mr Rasool said he overheard the conversation at Mrs Begum's home in Burnley Road, Accrington, where worried family members had gathered.

Five of Mrs Begum's daughters were also called to give evidence.

Arshad's ex-wife Kalsoom Begum told the court the family was living a nightmare.

The 35-year-old said: "They are evil, cruel, conniving people.

"This is not acceptable in any religion, culture or society.

"We are devastated. We are living a nightmare. This has ruined our lives."

Her sister Kauser Parveen, 34, of Crumpsall, Manchester - who was married to Shazad - told the court her mother had treated the brothers like her own sons but did not receive the same treatment in return.

She said: "Shazad ignored my mum when she lived at my house.

"He was very controlling, telling her where to go and what to do. He didn't want her to make friends.

"Arshad was eating his way through life.

"He stayed at mum's house for free and never helped pay bills."

Ms Parveen told the court Shazad mentioned he had bought a plane ticket to Lahore for his brother Arshad in the weeks following her mother's disappearance.

Another sister, 20-year-old Zarina Akhtar, told the jury how she had returned home on January 13 for find her mother's coat, headscarf, handbag and shoes missing.

The jury were earlier told by Arshad that Mrs Begum died in a freak accident after she made sexual advances towards him.

He said she banged her head on a wall after he pushed her away.

He admitted dismembering her body and dumping the parts behind Indian takeaways in Rusholme, Manchester.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.

(Proceeding)