A Solihull shopkeeper is facing the prospect of a custodial sentence after he was captured on video chasing a youth with a sword outside his supermarket. Daminda Heradh, 49, of Edinburgh Road, Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife or sharp pointed article at Birmingham Magistrates' Court this week. The incident took place on Saturday, April 4, following what the court heard was persistent harassment directed at him by locals.
Court Proceedings
Prosecutor Zuzanna Pogorzelska informed the court that police were called to a supermarket after members of the public reported the incident. One individual showed officers a video depicting a man pursuing a youth while brandishing a sword. Defence solicitor Mr Naseer Adalat argued that his client had been subjected to relentless harassment from locals, stating that "weeks and weeks of abuse by locals has been driving him crazy." He described the act as a one-off, intended to scare the youths rather than cause harm.
Background and Sentencing
The court noted that Heradh had no previous convictions and was considered to be of previous good character. Despite this, the chair of the bench warned that the court "may impose any sentence the law allows, including a potential custodial sentence." Sentencing has been adjourned until August 14 to allow for a pre-sentence report. The case has drawn attention to the pressures faced by local shopkeepers and the serious consequences of taking matters into one's own hands.
