Two men could face jail after a terrifying street fight in Blackwood, Caerphilly, erupted between rival barber shop crews – with children watching the mayhem unfold.
Brawl Between Rival Barbershops Shocks Local Town
Omed Pirot, 31, and Shahab Husseini, 25, were found guilty of affray at Newport Crown Court following a violent clash outside a Blackwood hairdresser’s on 13 February. The confrontation involved 13 men from two rival barbers: Kurds Barbers in Newbridge and Marmaris Turkish Barbers in Blackwood.
The fight was sparked by a commercial feud after Pirot, who worked at Marmaris, revealed plans to open a new branch in Newbridge – a move the Kurds Barbers staff strongly opposed.
Violence Erupts on the Streets – Public Watch in Fear
On the day, four cars arrived from Newbridge to Blackwood, parking outside Absolutely Fabulous hairdressers at 2.30pm. The two groups quickly clashed, erupting into a full-scale street brawl, as prosecutor Nuhu Gobir revealed to the court.
- Emergency services received 999 calls reporting multiple stabbings.
- Police found five injured men outside Marmaris Barbers.
- CCTV and social media footage caught punches and kicks flying on the pavement.
- An off-duty detective blocked the shop doors and called for back-up as the fight pressed against the windows.
- Scissors were recovered from the scene, adding to the chaos.
Defendants Deny Knife Attacks, But Evidence Tells Another Story
Husseini claimed he was defending himself and his friends after finishing a haircut. However, prosecutors said CCTV showed him wielding a weapon and making slashing motions at a rival. Pirot suffered a fractured skull after being knocked to the ground amid the fighting.
Another defendant, Sardam Ebrahimi, 27, was cleared of affray, but five other men have already pleaded guilty.
Sentencing Set as Community Demands Justice
Husseini, Pirot, and five others will be sentenced on 10 April. The violent scuffle has left a lasting scar on Blackwood’s peaceful streets, with locals shaken by the public spectacle of violence in broad daylight.
