A bitter feud between two ice cream sellers in Blackburn, Lancashire, has escalated, prompting police and council investigations. The rivals, known as Mr Whippy and Mr Creamy, have been accused of harassing each other and engaging in heated confrontations in front of children and families.
Mohammed Mulla, 48, who trades as Mr Whippy, and his former employee Jahangir Rashid, 56, known as Mr Creamy, have been at odds since 2015 when Rashid left Mulla's employ after a dispute over takings and wages. Rashid subsequently bought his own ice cream van and began operating in the same area.
The pair have repeatedly accused each other of breaking council rules requiring ice cream vans to park at least 150 metres apart. Tensions boiled over on June 21, when Mulla claims Rashid followed him, overtook him, and blocked his van. A video of the ensuing argument was posted online, showing the two men leaning out of their van windows and gesticulating angrily.
Mulla stated, "This is a serious issue and could lead to collisions and put children at risk." Rashid denied the allegations, saying, "I have not been harassing Mr Mulla. He has been harassing me. I did follow him on June 21 but that was to try and resolve the matter."
The dispute echoes a similar incident in 2012 involving Mulla and another rival, Zeheer Ramzan, known as Mr Yummy, who was accused of attacking Mulla's van with a tyre iron. Police and council officials are now investigating the latest claims of harassment.
