A FORMER boxer's punches ended a feud between families when both sides realised it had gone too far, a court heard.

Taxi driver Tahir Mahmood, 37, was in his parked cab at 2am when another taxi drew alongside and the driver asked to have a word with him around the corner.

They drove to Albert Terrace, Middlesbrough, where a fight developed and former boxer Sageer Ahmed, 29, punched Mr Mahmood between ten and 15 times, Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court.

It ended when people came on the scene and Ahmed left.

Mr Mahmood later told police that Ahmed had said he was going to kill him.

Ahmed was arrested and claimed Mr Mahmood threw the first punch.

Mr Mullarkey said Ahmed told how he was a former boxer, adding: "I'm not going to let anyone punch us, am I."

Mr Mahmood, who was treated in hospital for bruises and abrasions, said in a witness impact statement that he had to give up working nights because of the worry caused by the incident,which took place on November 6.

Harvey Murray, for Ahmed, said the split between the families stemmed from problems between two women.

He said: "These proceedings have essentially put a line under it all. He does accept full responsibility for his actions.

"In retrospect, he accepts he should not have intervened in a feud in which he had no part.

"Yes, he is a boxer and, unfortunately, that seems to be why the injuries were caused to Mr Mahmood to the extent that they have.

"But he has no record for violence, and he is regretful and ashamed of his actions that particular night."

Judge Recorder Colin Burn told Ahmed: "For a boxer you showed remarkable lack of control. If, as I am told, you and the Mahmood family have been able to draw a line under this, it's just possible to avoid a custodial sentence."

Ahmed, of Cranberry, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, a mechanic for a taxi fleet, was given 12 months' supervision with 200 hours' unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Mahmood.