A masked man pointed a shotgun at two brothers in a Bradford street and then fired the weapon into the air to show the community who was boss, a jury heard.

Kamran Hussain, 28, sent people scattering late at night in Hollings Road, Girlington, to show them he was “not to be messed with”, it is alleged.

Hussain, of Broom Mills Road, Pudsey, denies possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, an alternative charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and affray.

Prosecutor James Keeley told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the alleged offences took place on July 31 at about 10pm.

The Crown’s case was that Hussain discharged the gun in the street “as an assertion of his authority over the area and especially of a family he had a dispute with”.

Mr Keeley said Hussain would not let lie an argument with the Asghar family, of Hollings Square.

“He wanted to show the local community, and the Asghars in particular, that he was not to be messed with. He was the man. He was the boss,” Mr Keeley said.

Rafiq Asghar, 20, told the court he was beaten up in the street near his home that night by four men who got out of a blue Mitsubishi Shogun.

Mr Asghar said his assailants, who did not include Hussain, kicked him when he was on the ground, tried to poke his eye out and hit him on the head with a wrench. He fled, losing his shoes on the way.

His brother, Shafiq Asghar, came out into the street, along with many of other residents.

Rafiq Asghar said minutes later he saw two men walking towards him as he stood with his brother at the end of their street.

He said he was “100 per cent certain” that one was Hussain. He was wearing a black hoodie and a scarf round his face.

Mr Asghar said he was “shocked and scared” to see Hussain was carrying a shotgun.

He told the court the defendant said: “I’m going to kill you all,” and pointed the weapon at the brothers.

“I thought ‘Well, that’s it. That bullet’s going to hit my head any second’,” Mr Asghar said.

He said Hussain discharged the gun into the air and made off.

Mr Keeley said Hussain was arrested the next day. He at first made no comment to the police and then denied any connection with a shooting incident.

The trial continues.