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Eight men have appeared at Cardiff Crown Court charged with violent disorder after two mass brawls in Blackwood and Newbridge last month.

A previous court hearing described the brawls as part of a “turf war” between rival barbers over plans for a new shop in Newbridge.

The eight men charged with violent disorder are: Bave Hamed, 30, of Cwrt Bryn y Grug, Blackwood; Shahab Husseini, 24, of Clarence Street, Pontypool; Sardam Ebrahimi, 25, of Central Avenue, Oakdale; Bryar Muradi, 28, of Central Avenue, Oakdale; Alan Karimi, 30, of Malefant Street, Cardiff; Adnan Mohamad, 29, of Malefant Street, Cardiff; and Krmanj Sadiq, 29 of Ferry Court, Cardiff; and Omed Pirot, 29, of High Street, Pentwynmawr.

At around 2.45pm on Thursday February 13, Gwent Police were called to an ‘alleged disorder’ on Blackwood High Street, and ten minutes later were called to another incident on Newbridge High Street.

Around 16 people were involved in the fights with several injured – including one with a stab wound.

All of the defendants, who denied the charges, were granted conditional bail with a trial date set for March next year.