A 28-YEAR-OLD man celebrating his birthday played peace-maker between two of his friends but ended up being arrested, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Sajid Hussain restrained Mohammed Gujar, who was arguing with the owner of the Mela restaurant on Whalley Banks, Blackburn.

But he also got in the middle when his friend returned and was confronted by police officers, magistrates were told.

Hussain, 28, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, was made subject to a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £34 costs.

Gujar, 27, of Malham Gardens, Blackburn, admitted a breach of the peace and was bound over in £100 to keep the peace for 12 months.

A charge of being drunk and disorderly was withdrawn.

Roger Pickles, defending Hussain, said his client until recently owned a restaurant in Wigan and he knew the owner of the Mela restaurant.

He had enjoyed a night out with friends to celebrate his birthday but had found himself caught up in a dispute between one of them and another acquaintance.