All four men tried to help the former law student as he lay dying on Fishwick Parade on a night of widespread violence on Preston's Callon estate.

Mohammed Beg, Tariq Mian, Naeem Chhabu and Mohammed Zakria Khan were each handed suspended sentences after admitting being involved in the violent disorder which shamed the estate.

They were involved in an attack on John McKerney, the father of Shezan's killer.

Mr McKerney was punched, kicked and hit with a waste bin as members of an angry mob shouted "let's kill him".

Judge Christopher Cornwall told Preston Crown Court the truth of exactly what happened on that night in July 2006 may never be known.

Judge Cornwall said the whole tragic case, "illustrates with appalling clarity" the danger of carrying weapons.

The court heard how Beg and Shezan were being chased by a group of young men.

Beg managed to get away but Shezan, 20, of Fishwick View, was caught and stabbed, dying within hours.

Paul Humphries, representing Beg, told the court that he was running with Shezan when his injured friend suddenly told him, "I'm gone", before collapsing.

He never said another word and was soon unconscious.

Beg, the court heard, knelt by the body and later got a lift to hospital where he learned of his friend's death.

He then went to a police station and told of what he had seen.

Mr Humphries said Beg admitted striking out during what was "general disorder".

Beg, 21, of Scotforth Road, Ribbleton, Mian,21, from New Hall Lane Preston and Chhabu 20 of Houldsworth Road, Fulwood, each pleaded guilty; to violent disorder.

Mohammed Zakria Khan, 20, of Great Townley Street, Callon, denied the offence but was found guilty after trial last month.

He had pleaded guilty to separate offences of assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of a small amount of cannabis.

His brother Mohammed Yahya Khan, 20, also of Great Townley Street, was cleared of violent disorder.

He admitted a separate public order offence and was conditionally discharged for 18 months with £250 costs.

Beg, Mian and Chhabu had their jail sentences suspended for 18 months with night time curfews for three months and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in each case. All will pay costs.

Zakria Khan was jailed for 12 months, suspended for 18 months with 125 hours unpaid work and his curfew will last for four months with £1000 costs.

They were spending the evening at a house on Great Townley Street when Beg ran up, banged on the door and told them of Shezan's stabbing.

The court was told they had been angry and distraught at their friend's obviously serious injury, although it was not by then known he had been fatally hurt.

After a trial last year, Liam McKerney, 21, was cleared of Shezan's murder but convicted of manslaughter and jailed for eight years.