A rival barbers ‘turf war’ sparked a huge street brawl, which saw 13 men fighting over plans to open up a new shop in their local town, a court has heard.
Staff from the Kurds Barbers in Newbridge, Caerphilly, travelled to nearby Blackwood to confront workers at the town’s Marmaris Turkish barbers on February 13.
The feud started when one barber who worked at the Blackwood shop announced he intended to open another store in Newbridge.
This was ‘not well received’ by staff at Kurds, a court heard, and led to the skirmish, which saw several people hospitalised.
Footage shared on social media at the time shows the barbers fighting in broad daylight, with some using makeshift weapons, including spanners – and scissors.
Minutes after the trouble died down in Blackwood, police were called to another outbreak of violence in Newbridge.
Omed Pirot, 30, from Pentwynmawr, who announced the new store, has been charged with violent disorder and affray.
His colleagues Sardam Ebrahimi, 28, from Newport, and Shahab Husseini, 25, from Pontypool, have been accused of the same.
Seven men have appeared in court over after a fight that broke out in broad daylight outside the Marmaris Turkish barbers in the market town of Blackwood, South Wales
The men appeared at Newport Crown Court on Monday. They have all denied the charges.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said four cars had been driven from Newbridge to Blackwood and parked up on the high street when the violence began.
Mr Gobir said: ‘The two factions then meet up on the street and a large-scale fight erupts.’
Witnesses described ‘two gangs fighting one another’, which saw a number of people injured, including one who suffered a stab wound needing stitches.
Mr Gobir said: ‘This was a disturbance in which all the defendants have played a part in the fighting that took place or in continuing and escalating the nature of the violence.
‘The prosecution case is unlawful violence was carried out.
‘No one is acting in self defence, the defendants could have easily removed themselves from that situation but instead they stayed there and enthusiastically got involved in the fighting.’
Speaking at the time, Gwent Police said: ‘We’re investigating two reports of violent disorder on Thursday 13 February, after officers were called to High Street, Blackwood, at around 2.45pm and High Street, Newbridge, at around 2.55pm.
‘Four men were taken to hospital for treatment; three of them were later discharged while one remains receiving treatment.
‘None of their injuries sustained by those involved in the disorder are believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.’
The trial continues.
