A former maths teacher from Sutton Coldfield who played an integral role in a violent melee in Digbeth has been banned from the profession. Asir Nazar, 38, who taught at Plantsbrook School, was part of a pre-planned disorder involving over 30 men wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons on June 18, 2017.
Details of the Incident
The disorder erupted in Ravenhurst Street, Digbeth, around 6:45 pm on a sunny Sunday evening. The court heard that the violence stemmed from a dispute between employees of a family-owned gym and their former tenants. Nazar remained in his car during the melee but used his vehicle to block another car, preventing escape and enabling an attack.
Seven men, aged between 17 and 31 at the time, were involved in what was described as 'disgraceful, appalling mob violence'. Victims suffered fractures, stab wounds, and slash wounds, with one man sustaining life-changing injuries when struck by a car.
Legal Consequences
Nazar admitted violent disorder and was handed a 15-month sentence suspended for 12 months at Birmingham Crown Court in 2024. He was not present or represented at the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing in April 2026, which resulted in a prohibition order banning him from teaching in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children’s home in England.
The TRA panel noted that Nazar's actions were 'fundamentally incompatible' with being a teacher. The judge's sentencing remarks described the conduct as 'a very serious example of organised group violence', with Nazar playing a 'pivotal role' by disabling a vehicle.
Impact on the Public
The panel highlighted that the disorder occurred in a residential area where members of the public were enjoying the weather and a dance class was taking place nearby. The behaviour could have impacted public safety and security.
Nazar's Teaching Career
Nazar worked at Plantsbrook School from September to October 2017, resigning shortly after his arrest on October 18, 2017. He told the school he was struggling with workload as a newly qualified teacher. At the time of the offence, he was not a qualified teacher but had completed part of his training.
Other individuals involved in the disorder—Akeel Haider, Ajam Khan, Aqib Khurshid, Umar Nawaz, and Frassat Sarwar—all admitted violent disorder and received suspended sentences. Wajad Ayub, aged 17 at the time, was given a 12-month conditional discharge. The court ordered each to pay £2,400 towards prosecution costs.
Sentencing Judge Avik Mukherjee stated that the men initiated mob violence, believing they had the right to vent grievances in a lawless manner.
