A shopkeeper who endured weeks of abuse from locals is facing jail after chasing a youth with a sword in an attempt to scare them, a court has heard.
Incident at Solihull supermarket
Daminda Heradh, 49, was captured on video chasing a youth with a sword on Saturday, April 4 this year, following constant harassment at his Solihull supermarket. Heradh, of Edinburgh Road, Nuneaton, was arrested and charged with possession of a knife or sharp pointed article, namely a sword. He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court this week.
Court proceedings
Prosecutor Zuzanna Pogorzelska told the court that police were called to the supermarket after members of the public reported a video showing a man chasing a youth with a sword. The man was identified as the shop owner. During a search, police recovered a golden-handled sword. Heradh had no previous convictions and entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity.
Mitigating, Mr Naseer Adalat said: "My client has been constantly harassed by locals. This was a one-off; he wanted to scare them. He has realised his mistake. Weeks and weeks of abuse drove him crazy. He felt he had to do something to save his business."
Bail and sentencing
Chair of the bench, Ms Foazder, adjourned the case until August 14 for a pre-sentence report, warning Heradh: "The court may impose any sentence the law allows, including a potential custodial sentence." He was granted unconditional bail, with the condition that he must cooperate with probation and return to court on the scheduled date.
