A STREET was the scene of "hell for leather" fighting on the night a man died from stab wounds, a court has heard.

Resident David Pearce told Preston Crown Court he saw a fight break out in North Street, Colne, on September 29 last year. He said he had been to visit a neighbour and was standing in a doorway when he saw youths having an argument.

Hasan Mumtaz, 18, of North Street denies murder, wounding and violent disorder. His brother Wasim Mumtaz, 21, also of North Street, denies violent disorder.

The jury heard he had been to visit a neighbour, Margaret Leonard, to discuss replacing a window, on the night Sean Whyte died.

He said: "We stood at the doorway and she had a brush in her hand and was sweeping. We saw Michael Stewart with Wasim and they were having a bit of an argument about something to do with tobacco and money. At first it was just arguing then Wasim took a swipe at the young lad and hit him in the face. He reeled back a bit and Wasim hit him in the chest. He ran off into the road and then down to where he lived. He said he was going to get his family.

"Wasim said 'I have got enough in the house to take them all on.'

"There was a young lad coming up and he got kicked in the chest by Wasim. He reeled back.

"That's when it really went hell for leather. Everybody came in and things started happening.

"Margaret Leonard gave me the brush to bring in at that point and closed the door and locked it. She didn't want to get caught up in the melee, the fight."

(Proceeding)