A GREAT grandmother told a court how an Asian accused of violent disorder during last year's riots in Burnley was "a good samaritan."

Mrs Valerie Goss said that Mohammed Nawaz had gone out of his way to help her after she got lost while driving through the Daneshouse area at the time of the disorder.

As she drove past the Dragoon pub in Elm Street and stopped to try to find her way, Nawaz knocked on the car window and asked if she was okay, Mrs Goss told the jury at Preston Crown Court. She said Nawaz had got into her car and directed her back to the main road where she was able to drive to her home in Nelson.

Nawaz, 35, of Lord Street, Brierfield, is one of five Asians who deny offences of violent disorder during the Burnley riots last June.

Mrs Goss added: "He knocked on my window and asked if I was all right, so I let him into my car. I wasn't worried, in fact, I was glad of his help. He was a good samaritan to me."

Earlier Nawaz told the jury he was a family man who had not been involved in the disorder.

Also denying charges of violent disorder are Mohammed Bashir, 22, of Forest Street, Burnley; Asif Khan, 24, of Francis Street, Burnley; Tariq Saddique, 28, of Azalea Court, Blackburn and a 17-year-old from Burnley, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

(Proceeding)