Barber Shop Brawl Leads to Affray Convictions
Two men involved in a large-scale brawl between rival barber shops on a busy high street have been found guilty of affray, while a third man was acquitted.
The incident involved a group from Kurd Barbers in Newbridge, Caerphilly, who "travelled mob-handed" to the neighbouring town of Blackwood to confront staff from rival Marmaris Barbers, a jury at Newport Crown Court was informed.
Sardam Ebrahimi, 27, from Newport; Shabab Husseini, 26, from Pontypool; and Omed Pirot, 31, from Caerphilly, all claimed they acted in self-defense against their rivals.
However, the jury found Husseini and Pirot guilty of affray, while Ebrahimi, who stated he was merely trying to defend his friends, was found not guilty.
Background of the Feud
The court heard that the feud originated when Pirot, who was assaulted with a knuckle duster and sustained a fractured skull during the brawl, announced intentions to open another barber shop in Newbridge.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir stated there was "absolutely so need" for those inside the Blackwood barber shop to come outside and confront the men on 13 February last year, describing the incident as "violence in broad daylight."
"The reason they came out was to have a fight.... and did so enthusiastically."
The jury, composed of six men and six women, was told that one individual required hospital treatment for serious injuries, several others sustained cuts and bruises, and one man suffered a puncture wound in his back.
Five other men from the rival shops have already admitted to affray.
Details of the Incident
The fight, which was recorded on CCTV, involved up to 25 men. It began on the pavement outside the shop before spilling onto the busy high street.
A witness, who was a passenger in a passing car, called 999 after observing the altercation.
She told police she saw the two groups punching and kicking each other very aggressively.
She said she thought they were "intending to hurt each other, hitting each other very hard."
She added the brawl lasted about four minutes.
Off-duty Detective Sergeant Kelly Whistance, who was in the nearby hair salon Absolutely Fabulous, also witnessed the fight and instructed staff to lock the doors and call the police.
DS Whistance said the salon staff were "frantic and scared" that the men were going to enter the salon, as they were pushed against the window.
Sentencing
Judge Daniel Williams is scheduled to sentence the men on 10 April. Five other men who previously admitted affray will also be sentenced on the same day.
