A GANG member who settled a turf war by stabbing a man in the face has been locked up for three years.

Mashudur Rahman, 18, of Norwich Road, Forest Gate, plunged his blade through Tanveer Miah’s cheek during a confrontation between warring youths. Rahman fled the scene in Poplar, but later handed himself in.

Sentencing him to three years in a young offenders’ institution, Judge Neil Sanders said he could not be certain Rahman had gone armed with the “express intent” to stab Mr Miah on June 9.

Rahman admitted the knifing while brothers Syed Shahinul Hussain, 20, and Syed Kamrul Hussain, 22, both stood trial for their alleged roles in the fight.

But the case, heard at Snaresbrook Crown Court last year, collapsed after an alleged incident at nearby Snaresbrook Station.

Prosecutors later dropped charges against both Hussain brothers.

Jonathan Woodcock, defending Rahman, claimed he attacked Mr Miah in “panic”.

Rahman admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Syed Shahinul Hussain, of Woolmore Street, Poplar, was cleared of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm. Syed Kamrul Hussain, of the same address, was cleared of actual bodily harm.