AN ICE cream seller who used threats and intimation to try and muscle in on a rival's area has been spared jail.

But the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson warned Mohammed Yousaf that suspending his 18-month prison sentence for two years had been a "very close decision".

"Be under no illusion — you abide fully by this order, or you will be going to prison," he said.

Bolton Crown Court had heard how, over a four-week period in summer last year, Yousaf, who has operated an ice cream van business for 25 years, threatened distant relative Attea Ishaq and her husband Nadeem Akhtar, damaged their vans and car and drove badly in a bid to intimidate his rivals.

"You were trying, by your actions to muscle in on their territory," Judge Clayson told Yousaf.

The court was told how the couple operate an ice cream sales business in the Salford area, but on July 30 Yousaf visited their Georgina Street, Morris Green, home, smashed windows in their van parked outside and then followed it up early the next morning by knocking on the door and telling Mrs Ishaq: "I'm going to kill him (Mr Akhtar). I'm going to burn your house down."

Yousaf was said to have also made a series of threatening phone calls to Mr Akhtar, including one made after he had beaten up his rival's brother claiming: "Now it's your turn".

Yousaf also attacked Mr Akhtar's van as he was working in Winton Park, Eccles and then drove his own ice cream van across the grass at speed.

"You were prepared to drive without proper regard for other people in the vicinity, including children," Judge Clayson told Yousaf.

Then, the following day, Yousaf encountered Mr Akhtar's brother, Wasim, as he was driving an ice cream van in the Agecroft area.

He chased his rival, at one point travelling on the wrong side of the road, side by side with the other van outside Forest Bank prison.

"It was intimidating driving and intended to be intimidating," Judge Clayson commented.

Yousaf, aged 47, of Walker Avenue, Great Lever, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, causing fear or provocation of violence, two counts of harassment and two charges of careless driving.

Michael Brady, defending, said that, although Yousaf pleaded guilty, he does not accept some of the accusations against him.

He added that Yousaf has not been able to be objective given the "long standing nature of the difficulties which the defendant has experienced with the complainant's family".

However, he added that the father-of-five has worked hard for many years to support his family and appealed to Judge Clayson not to impose a driving ban as it would result in him losing his round to other ice-cream salesmen.

"It would be a real shame, albeit one of his own making," said Mr Brady.

But Judge Clayson told Yousaf that his driving was so bad he could have collided with Mr Akhtar and banned him from driving for eight months.

"It would be remiss of me not to impose a disqualification," he said.

Yousaf was also told he must complete 140 hours unpaid work, pay Mrs Ishaq £700 compensation and undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activities.

"It will try and sort out your inappropriate attitude to other people," Judge Clayson told him.