‘Tale of two barbers’ brought ‘war’ to the streets

Seven men are on trial at Brighton Crown Court for a fight that broke out in Boundary Road, Portslade, involving weapons such as wooden planks and a wheel brace, on April 2.

A group from K Barbers, Boundary Road, and HB Barbers, Station Road, clashed in the street, leaving two men in a critical condition.

Jurors heard that Sarbast Ibrahimi, 25, of Somerhill Avenue, Hove, suffered a 25cm long laceration to his arm and a stab wound that went to the bone, allegedly executed by Kozheen Banaee, 23, of Montpelier Road, Brighton.

The barristers of the prosecution and the defendants are now giving their final submissions to the jury before they retire to deliberate.

Defence lawyer for Hogr Banaee, 23, Anwar Ramzan detailed the “tale of two barbers” and accused the men of K Barbers as bringing “the war, the revolution” to the street.

A police cordon outside HB Barber (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus) He said: “They were no longer going to tolerate having another Turkish barbers across the way who were taking their business.”

Mr Ramzan replayed a short piece of footage to the jury from during the fight, showing the face of defendant Mohammed.

He said: “I want you to assess for yourself how peaceful and placid Ayob Mohammed is.”

“Is that the face of a peaceful person?

“They came here to teach Hogr a lesson. They came equipped with weapons.”

Mr Ramzan went on to accuse the men of K Barbers of “making up evidence”.

He said: “You have got K Barbers making up evidence that fits their narrative.

“We say it’s utter nonsense.”

READ MORE: Teen involved in Hove barber brawl thought he would die

Defence barrister Raymond Ali also gave a speech to the jury on behalf of Kosar Banaee, 19.

Mr Ali said: “His case is essentially one of self defence, not only to his brothers but also to Ali Hussanei.

“His brother was spat at – one of the most disgusting things that could happen to anyone.”

Mr Ali called the evidence Sardam Qadir, 31, gave, “stupid” and “preposterous”.

Barrister Brian Kennedy spoke in defence of Kozheen Banaee, stating that he was only acting to defend his “disabled” younger brother, Kosar.

Mr Kennedy said: “Protecting his little brother was the only thing on his mind.

“The intention to cause serious harm did not come into it.

The area was cordoned off (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner) “Everything he does is in self defence.”

Orlando Gibbons, defending Ayob Mohammed, 21, of K Barbers, stressed to the jury that “there is a difference between evidence and wild accusations”.

Mr Gibbons said: “You throw enough mud against somebody, something will stick.”

Mr Gibbons also denied that Mohammed was armed with scissors, calling the claim “nonsense”.

He said: “No pair of scissors were found.

“Of course they have scissors, they’re barbers, but they also have razors.”

He also pointed towards the fact that Mohammed attempted to contact emergency services.

Sardam Qadir’s lawyer Ignatius Fessal accused other barristers of “disrespecting” Qadir during their admissions and advised jurors to make their verdict based on the facts of the case.

He said: “The events that you have been analysing were far from tranquil, peaceful and calm.

“It was the complete opposite.

“We have heard words like chaos and carnage.

“Sardam Qadir tried to calm things down.”

Kosar Banaee, of Elm Grove, Ali Husseini, 19, of Dyke Road, Ayob Mohammed, 21, of Western Road, Brighton, are charged with violent disorder.

Sardam Qadir, 31 of Blacksail Walk, Oldham, is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Kozheen Banaee, 23, of Montpelier Road has been charged with violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Hogr Banaee, 23, of Roman Road in Hove, is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Sarbast Ibrahimi, 25, of Somerhill Avenue, Hove, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They deny the charges. The trial continues.