A MAN who was involved in a fight at a Bolton snooker club had turned up "mob-handed" and determined to track down a thief who had stolen cash from his family.

Bolton Crown Court heard how, on May 31 last year, a large amount of cash was taken from Gulstan Azam's family home in Farnworth.

Rather than calling police, later that day, Azam turned up with 17 other men at the Frame 3 snooker club in Higher Swan Lane, Bolton, trying to find the person he believed was responsible.

The court was told that Azam, dressed in a t-shirt and baseball cap, was in the lead and appeared to be giving instructions to the others, some of whom had hoods pulled up over their heads.

Helen Longworth, prosecuting, told how the men made their way to room five in the club where a number of men were already playing snooker.

Snooker cues were picked up and Azam, also armed with balls taken from the table, attacked an unidentified man, hitting him two or three times.

After the 12 second incident the group left the club together.

Azam, of Horne Grove, Wigan, was arrested two days later and pleaded guilty to affray.

He was originally charged with more serious offences but the Crown Prosecution Service did not proceed with them for reasons including the non-attendance of prosecution witnesses.

The court heard that Azam was previously involved with gangs and has a criminal record for violence, including a four and a half year prison term for his part in an incident which led to the death of a man in Bolton town centre in 2006.

Nicholas Clarke, defending, stressed that Azam had gone to the club hoping to identify who had stolen the money and had not planned violence.

"It was not his intention to go to the club for any criminal offence," said Mr Clarke, who added that, since his marriage four years ago, Azam's life had changed dramatically for the better and he intends to live away from Bolton.

But Judge Richard Gioserano dismissed Azam's assertion that it was a coincidence other men turned up at the club at the same time as him, describing it as "nonsense".

The judge told Azam: "Even if you didn't plan violence, this was never going to pass over peacefully, going mob handed.

"It is clear to me that you were in charge of the mob."

But Judge Gioserano said he accepted that violence in the snooker club was started by others and told Azam: "Prove you can completely move away from your past history and become a law-abiding man."

Azam was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.

He must also participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities and a thinking skills programme.