A shopkeeper in Nuneaton has avoided imprisonment after chasing a youth with a sword, an incident he attributed to enduring weeks of harassment by local youths.
Daminda Heradh, 49, who owns a supermarket on Edinburgh Road, was recorded wielding a gold-handled sword in an attempt to frighten off individuals he said were persistently harassing him. The incident occurred on Saturday, 4 April.
Heradh pleaded guilty to possessing a knife or sharp pointed article, identified as the sword, at Birmingham Magistrates' Court in April. On 14 August, he received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. This means that if he refrains from committing any further offences within the year, he will not serve time in prison.
READ MORE: EasyJet Launches Recruitment Drive to Attract Over-50s to Cabin Crew Roles
READ MORE: Chris Davies Signals Potential Birmingham City Debuts Ahead of Brentford Clash
Prosecutor Zuzanna Pogorzelska explained that police were alerted after members of the public reported the incident and provided video evidence showing Heradh chasing a youth with the weapon. A sword matching the description was found during a search.
This was Heradh’s first offence, and he has no previous convictions, which the court took into consideration. He entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
Speaking in mitigation, Naseer Adalat highlighted that Heradh had pleaded guilty promptly and emphasised the ongoing harassment by local individuals that had driven him to act out of desperation. He expressed remorse for his actions and underlined Heradh’s previously clean record and longstanding good character.
The case sheds light on the challenges faced by small business owners dealing with community tensions and highlights the court’s approach to balancing accountability with compassion.