Student who intimidated witness is facing jail

Burnley magistrates were told how Zain Zahir (20) had asked the victim: “What have you been saying about me?” before punching him in the face, knocking one of his teeth clean out, dislodging another and leaving him bleeding.

Zahir and his victim, who is now 18, both attended Thomas Whitham Sixth Form in the town when the violence took place, in March last year.

The victim had to have a bridge fitted on the dislodged tooth as well as suffering the permanent injury.

Zahir, who made the threat to his victim almost a year later, could now be facing jail for his actions. He has also put his hopes of becoming a forensic scientist for the police in jeopardy.

The defendant, of Milner Street, Burnley, owned up on the day he had been due to face trial. He admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on March 18th last year and witness intimidation, on February 9th. He was committed to the town’s crown court for sentence.