Stratford man ‘among five who fought with guns and Samurai sword in off-licence’, court hears
The trial is taking place at the Old Bailey. Picture: Google - Credit: Google
A shopkeeper “heroically” intervened as rivals fought with guns, a meat cleaver and a Samurai sword in his off-licence, a court has heard.
CCTV footage played at the Old Bailey shows shelves pulled over and stock crashing to the ground as five men battled in the north London store.
Prosecutor Martyn Bowyer said the floor of A&S Stores in Wood Green became like an “ice skating rink” as it was covered in liquid and blood on July 11 last year.
“Throughout this terrifying situation, the shopkeeper heroically tries to separate the parties, putting himself at considerable risk,” he told a jury.
Ali Osman, 27, Abdinasir Abdurahim, 26, and Jordan Francois, 21, are standing trial over the incident, while two other men involved are yet to be identified.
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Mr Bowyer said: “The prosecution case is Mr Abdurahim and a man we say is Mr Osman are clearly together, clearly arrived together and pursued Jordan Francois around the store.
“Shelves are pulled over and other items come crashing to the floor, which quickly becomes covered in liquid and blood.”
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Cameras within the shop captured the scene as the men allegedly fought using weapons, including firearms and a Katana “Samurai” sword.
A member of the public is seen on the footage cowering before running out of the store as Francois and his associates, one armed with a meat cleaver, retreat from Abdurahim, said to be carrying a gun.
A man alleged to be Osman, of Bettons Park, Stratford, then arrives, first carrying what prosecutors say is a firearm before returning with a sword.
The prosecutor said Francois took hold of the sword after Osman ran off, before slashing at Abdulrahim, who was also “pistol-whipped” and cut so badly that his cheekbone is visible on CCTV footage of him fleeing the store.
He added: “Finally, the shopkeeper was able to get between the two men. Jordan Francois, holding the Samurai sword, nonchalantly walks off down the high street, almost as if nothing has happened.”
Abdurahim, from Tottenham, north London, has admitted violent disorder over the incident, but denies possession of a firearm or imitation firearm.
Francois, from Edmonton, north London, denies violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon concealed within a sock and wounding Abdurahim with intent.
Osman denies possessing a Samurai sword and firearm or imitation firearm.
The trial continues.
