A violent confrontation occurred in Anfield, Liverpool, on October 22, 2022, involving three brothers and two workmen, following accusations of an attempted child abduction. The incident took place outside a takeaway on Lower Breck Road in the late afternoon, shortly after a report had emerged regarding an attempted kidnapping involving one of the brothers’ daughters.

The altercation has led to serious injuries for two men, identified as Paimani Jalali and Salar Azizi, who were working on a nearby pub renovation. According to the prosecution’s opening statements at Liverpool Crown Court, the three brothers—Neil (36), Mark (38), and Alan McGovern (42)—alongside a fourth individual, Michael Lawal (46), armed themselves with makeshift weapons, including metal poles and wooden bats, to confront the complainants.

During the altercation, Mr Jalali suffered a stab wound to the chest, a bleed on the brain, and multiple lacerations around his head, after reportedly being beaten while lying on the ground. His colleague, Mr Azizi, was found semi-conscious, bleeding from the right eye, and had sustained cuts to his back and head.

The incident began when a call was made to Merseyside Police around 4 pm, reporting a violent confrontation involving weapons. Officers arrived at the scene near the junction of September Road and found Mr Jalali unconscious on the pavement, while Mr Azizi was barely conscious. Numerous potential weapons—including planks, metal poles, and screwdrivers—were discovered scattered in the vicinity of the scene.

During the court proceedings, Prosecutor Ken Grant described the brothers as having engaged in what he termed a “joint enterprise attack” against Mr Jalali and Mr Azizi. He noted that Neil McGovern had made a report the day before about an attempted kidnapping, which had heightened tensions in the community and led to a significant police presence during the altercation.

Mr Jalali later recounted that he was driving his van when approached by two men who smashed his windscreen with what he described as a metal object. Following this, he faced an assault from multiple attackers, which he initially reported to police as he had little memory after the attack, waking up later in an ambulance. Mr Azizi confirmed that he had been alerted by Mr Jalali’s call about the damage, only to find himself confronted by armed men who subsequently attacked him.

Alan McGovern was arrested at the scene after being seen with a weapon, which he discarded upon police arrival. He later admitted to assaulting Mr Jalali under the belief that the victim was involved in the alleged abduction attempt. He acknowledged having struck Mr Jalali’s head against the pavement multiple times, expressing regret during his police interview.

Neil McGovern, who claimed to have seen a supposed abduction attempt and recorded it on video, was also apprehended at the scene with a green pole. He stated that he was provoked into joining the fray after witnessing ongoing violence involving his brothers. Lawal, who reportedly intervened on behalf of his workmates, claimed to have been struck in the head and stabbed during the melee.

Mark McGovern, understanding the growing incidents aware from his brother’s accusations concerning abduction and becoming agitated at the scene, later handed himself in to the police after recognising his name had circulated on social media regarding the incident. Video footage captured him attacking one of the victims with a wooden pole, which he argued was in the heat of the moment to defend his brothers.

The quartet faces multiple charges, including wounding with intent and possession of offensive weapons, with the trial expected to continue for approximately a week. Defence claims assert that the defendants were acting in self-defence, while the prosecution maintains that they were the aggressors in this violent exchange. Judge Stuart Driver KC addressed the jurors, clarifying that while the defendants acknowledge their presence at the scene, they contest the notion that they acted as attackers.

Source: Noah Wire Services