Five Men Sentenced Following Violent Disorder In Brighton

Five men have been sentenced following a violent altercation involving knives, a baseball bat and an BB gun in central Brighton.

At 2.20pm on 24 May 2022, police received emergency calls reporting that a large fight was taking place involving a number of men, near a bus stop on Western Road, Brighton.

Witnesses also told police that one man had been repeatedly hit with a baseball bat, and that a gun had been fired by another person involved.

The firearm, later found to be a BB gun, had shattered a nearby bus window, leaving passengers fearing for their safety.

Officers arrived quickly at the scene, but those involved had already fled.

Enquiries with witnesses and local businesses led to CCTV showing the group carrying multiple weapons.

An investigation was launched and five suspects were arrested between 24 and 27 May 2022, then bailed while further evidence was gathered.

All five were charged on 17 July 2023:

• Oliver Pierce, 33, Brighton – violent disorder; possession of a knife

• Roon Qadri, 26, Brighton – violent disorder; possession of an offensive weapon

• Hogr Banaee, 25, Maidstone – violent disorder; possessing an imitation firearm with intent

• Kozheen Banaee, 24, Maidstone – violent disorder; possession of a knife

• Yad Fatah, 25, Brighton – violent disorder; possession of an offensive weapon

Ahead of trial, Fatah pleaded guilty. Pierce later admitted possessing a knife, Hogr and Kozheen Banaee pleaded guilty to violent disorder, and Qadri admitted affray.

Other charges were left on file.

Sentencing took place on 21 November at Hove Crown Court:

• Pierce received 2 years 8 months in prison

• Hogr and Kozheen Banaee each received 2 years 3 months

• Qadri received 9 months suspended for 18 months and a £1,000 fine

• Fatah received a 2-year suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, and a concurrent suspended 9-month term for the weapons offence

The judge said the men ran through the street armed with a baseball bat, an imitation firearm and a large knife, adding that one victim was struck repeatedly “in a manner that could have killed them”.

Detective Constable Gavin Harper said the broad-daylight violence on one of Brighton’s busiest streets left passers-by “genuinely fearful for their safety”, and thanked witnesses and local businesses for their assistance.