A DISABLED man who took part in an attack has escaped being punished.

Akbar Shah, 29, who is said to have learning difficulties, had not faced trial over the alleged assault as he had been found unfit to plead and would be unable to follow the court proceedings.

Shah, of Bradshaw Street, Nelson, was said to have taken part in a joint attack on a man named Adnan Rashid.

Recorder Andrew Long told him if he had been fit to stand trial, he would have been sent to jail.

The judge, who said Shah had a poor record for violence but this was his most serious offence, said: “If you commit any further criminal offences you will be found fit to stand trial, as you have been on many previous occasions.”

The defendant was given an absolute discharge at Burnley Crown Court.

Shah, who was said to be of very low intelligence, was not in need of a hospital order, but could not be supervised by the probation service.

He was said to be in serious need of help “on many, many levels,” and was found to be incapable of living independently.