Judge decries 'appalling' knife crime in sentencing six men for Smethwick disorder
Knife crime is out of control in the Black Country and must be stopped, a leading judge said.
Judge Michael Chambers KC made the remarks when jailing six men for an "appalling" gang fight with "zombie knives" in broad daylight in Smethwick.
Brothers Isaac and Hassan Zeb were standing outside a barber shop on Stony Lane at 4.45pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2021, when Mohammed Ajaz, Mohammed Junaid, Mohammed Adham and Abdul Khan skidded up in a car and began attacking them with knives.
The Zeb brothers, of Hugh Road, Smethwick, who had armed themselves with 'Rambo-style' knives after a drive-by shooting on their home the previous week, sustained serious stab wounds during the fight, which was all caught on CCTV.
Ajaz, 23, Junaid, 19, both of St Paul’s Road, Smethwick, Adham, 23, of Bloxcidge Street, Oldbury, and Abdul Khan, 21, of Sabell Road, Smethwick, all pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
The Zeb brothers, Isaac, 36, Hassan, 23, were found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article after a jury was shown CCTV of the fight.
Judge Chambers KC sentenced both Zeb brothers to three years in prison, Jenaid to 23 months in a youth offenders institution, Khan to two years eight months, and Adham to two years three months in jail.
Judge Chambers KC, who is Wolverhampton Combined Court resident judge, said: "We cannot have people running around in Wolverhampton and Smethwick fighting each other with zombie knives in front of shops on a Wednesday afternoon.
"It is truly appalling. It must have been terrifying for members of the public who saw this."
After the Zebs' guilty verdict Judge Chambers asked West Midlands Police for a detailed statement about knife crime in the area and the impact it is having on local communities.
He said: "I asked the police for a statement about knife crime in the area and they have told us the impact it is having. From what I can see knife crime is happening more often in Wolverhampton, Smethwick and surrounding towns.
"These sentences have to be a deterrent, as something has to be done to stop it."
He added: "This had all the hallmarks of gang violence, whether it was a gang or a group, the effect is the same. Knives were used and serious injuries were caused.
"These defendants thought they can carry and use knives with impunity. It must stop."
The court heard the dispute was between two families but "elders from both sides" agreed to end the tit for tat violence.