A MAN who witnessed a violent assault was jailed alongside rapists and murderers in Strangeways because police thought he would not attend court to give evidence.

Sajid Hussain, a man of "impeccable previous character," today told of his ordeal and said it had left him with no trust in the police.

But detectives said the case of Mr Hussain, 25, of Whalley Range, Blackburn, should serve as a warning to others who were thinking about not attending court.

Mr Hussain, who works at his family's shop, also in Whalley Range, made an emergency call to police after witnessing a fight in Earl Street, Blackburn, in September 2004.

His evidence eventually helped to secure the conviction by jury of Mazer Alshmery, of Blackburn, who is awaiting sentence for assaulting Saleh Farhan.

Mr Hussain said he had always intended to give evidence but said he believed police got the wrong idea about him after two failed attempts to give evidence.

He was arrested by two police officers at his home in front of his wife and parents and taken into the cells at Preston Crown Court after a judge issued a warrant for his detention

The judge, Pamela Badley, then sent him to prison for the night to ensure he gave evidence the following day.

Mr Hussain was taken to HMP Manchester, a remand prison for the North West, which was formerly known as Strangeways.

He was then ordered to attend court again last Tuesday, when he was bound over for six months for contempt of court.

He added: "I did not sleep a wink in Strangeways. I was there along with armed robbers and all those kinds of criminals. It was a nightmare.

"I was just so scared. It was all unbelievable. I have lost my faith in the police now, knowing that this can happen. People in the area know I was in jail and think I might have been doing something wrong like drug dealing.

"I was trying to help but there is no way I would ever do it again.

"If I saw someone getting beaten up or even killed I would not get involved as I would not want to be locked up in the cells again."

Police have confirmed that Mr Hussain was of impeccable previous character.

But Det Con Dan Perkins, of Blackburn CID, said they had been given the impression Mr Hussain did not want to attend court.

He added: "It was rare for a judge to jail a witness, but she said that she felt she had to send a message out for others to turn up in court.

"If people making statements to the police don't turn up in court the whole court procedure falls over and it doesn't do anybody any good because suspects will get off for serious offences."

Mr Hussain claimed he attended court during the week he got married in August and waited all day to give evidence, only for the hearing to be adjourned.

Mr Hussain said the next court date fell during Ramadan so he told the court he could not attend and the case was put back to November 21.

On that day, Mr Hussain, who suffers from asthma, arthritis and eczema, said he woke up feeling poorly and told the court that it could be midday before he was able to attend.

He claimed that the court staff told him not worry and that he could attend on the Tuesday but he was arrested later the same day.