Kebab Shop Rivals Clash in Broad Daylight Violence
Seven men from two rival Turkish kebab shop families have been jailed following a violent street brawl that saw them attacking each other with metal poles and other weapons in broad daylight.
The shocking incident occurred on Commercial Road in Newport, Wales, in August, leaving shocked customers witnessing the brutal confrontation between the competing businesses.
Violent Confrontation Captured on CCTV
CCTV footage played at Newport Crown Court showed attackers aged between 17 and 52 slashing and stabbing each other using various implements, including sticks from their kebab shops and walking sticks.
Judge Richard Kember described the incident as "a disgraceful outbreak of violence and disorder" during sentencing, noting that all seven men suffered gash and slash wounds from what the court called "significant physical violence."
Families Behind Competing Kebab Shops
The fighting involved the Aksoy family, who own Family Kebab on Caerleon Road, and the Sayak family, who operate Antalya Kebab.
According to prosecutors, the violence began when Firat Sayak, 45, struck Mehmet Aksoy, 52, outside the kebab shop before the pair began hitting each other against a car and falling to the ground.
Rapid Escalation and Injuries
The situation quickly escalated when Mehmet Aksoy made a phone call, prompting his family member Murat Aksoy, 28, to arrive in a grey Mercedes brandishing a metal pole from the window.
This caused Firat Sayak to "respond in kind" by brandishing his own weapon through the kebab shop window, leading to both families joining the violent confrontation.
The court heard that at the end of the fight, participants were forced to remove their shirts to use as "makeshift bandages", with others visibly covered in blood.
Sentencing and Community Reconciliation
All seven men had previously admitted violent disorder in September. The court sentenced Mehmet, Murat, and Mazhar Aksoy, along with Savas and Firat Sayak, to 24 months imprisonment each.
Burak Aksoy, 25, and Yagmur Sayak, 43, received 12-month suspended sentences and were ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
A 17-year-old boy involved will be sentenced separately in youth court due to his age.
Aftermath and Community Response
Police arriving after the fight ended found Savas Sayak with a severe head wound and Yagmur Sayak with multiple head injuries.
The court understood that the animosity between the families originated from "infighting" between people connected to the families in Turkey.
In positive developments, the court heard about a wider reconciliation process between the families facilitated by the Kurdish and Turkish communities in Wales.
Judge Kember acknowledged community concerns, stating: "The communities have been concerned about this event and concerned it does not reflect Kurdish and Turkish values."
