A huge street brawl was sparked by a ‘turf war’ over rival barber shops opening on neighbouring high streets, a court heard.
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.
Magistrates heard an argument was sparked about a new Turkish barbers’ shop opening in the neighbouring town of Newbridge.
Minutes after the trouble died down in Blackwood police were then called to another outbreak of violence in Newbridge.
Newport magistrates heard the allegations regarded a ‘barbers’ turf war’ before the brawl on Thursday at around 2.45pm.
Footage of the brawl was shared on social media which showed around 16 people fighting in the street some armed with weapons.
The court heard a number of people were injured, including one who suffered a stab wound that required stitches.
Bave Hamed, 30, Shahab Husseini, 24, Sardam Ebrahimi, 25, and Bryar Muradi, 28, were represented by Paul Morris, who said all intended to plead not guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
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
A court heard an argument was sparked about a new Turkish barbers’ shop opening in the neighbouring town of Newbridge.
Footage of the brawl was shared on social media which showed around 16 people fighting in the street some armed with weapons
Alan Karimi, 30, Cardiff, Adnan Mohamad, 29, and Krmanj Sadiq, 29, were represented by Nathan Jones who said they would also deny the same charges.
All seven were remanded in custody and ordered to appear at Newport Crown Court next month. An eighth man arrested is still in hospital.
Footage of the brawl was widely shared on social media with one man saying: ‘Always a battle in Blackwood for a haircut.’
Police said at the time: ‘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.’
Detective Inspector Elaine Newbury, the senior investigating officer, said: ‘We have arrested eight men on suspicion of violent disorder, they all remain in custody at this time.
‘Although these two reports of disorder appear to be linked, we are treating this as an isolated incident and not linked to previous anti-social behaviour reported in Blackwood or Newbridge.
‘Officers will remain in these two areas so if you have any questions, information or concerns, then please take the time to talk with them.
‘We want to hear from anyone who has information on the identities of anyone involved, or details that could assist our enquires.’