Man who carried out a number of graffiti attacks against Sunderland barber shops avoids jail

Sarbaz Rasul Khzri has avoided prison after being sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court for a series of attacks featuring “obscure” graffiti targeted towards Sunderland barbers.

By Ryan Smith

Published 18th May 2021, 04:55 BST

Updated 18th May 2021, 09:26 BST

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Sarbaz Rasul Khzri painted the words “leave the shop your problem for the people of Sunderland” on Jimmy’s Barbers in Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, and Magic Scissors in Sea Road, Fulwell.

The 22-year-old admitted four charges of criminal damage between Tuesday, January 26, and Friday, January 29, at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 19.

He also admitted possession of a bladed article after police found a small axe in a bag as they arrested him.

Sarbaz Rasul Khzri avoided prison time for the graffiti attacks which he carried out at the end of January.

Sarbaz Rasul Khzri avoided prison time for the graffiti attacks which he carried out at the end of January.

On Monday, May 17, he reappeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court where he received a 26 week custodial sentence, reduced to 18 weeks for an early guilty plea, to be suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay compensation to his victims.

Kelly Sherif, prosecuting, said police were called after Khzri was challenged by a passer-by – who had seen social media posts about a spate of incidents – as he attacked the Sea Road business.

Nicholas Moore, defending, said Khzri fled Iran and arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker. He is now a refugee with settled status and is actively seeking employment.

When passing sentence, chairperson of the bench, Mrs Oververy said: “There are very serious offences, we initially looked at the possession of the axe in a public place with the potential range of three months to one year in custody.

"With this, plus the criminal damage, we have considered 26 weeks in prison reduced to 18 due to an early plea however having heard the mitigation, we are prepared to impose a suspended sentence order for 12 months.”

Sunderland barbers shops were sprayed with graffiti after falling out with owner...

Khzri will also be required to complete 10 rehabilitation days and attend appointments with the probation service.

Mrs Oververy warned: "If you do not attend and complete the RAR days, you will probably be brought back to court and probably will go to jail.”

Khzri, of Burdon Terrace in Bedlington, was also ordered to pay Magic Scissors’ owner Shwana Shanhamati £100 and Jimmy’s owner Omed Khoshnaw £200 compensation.

Magistrates did not feel the need to impose a restraining order due to the low risk of Khrzi visiting the Sunderland area, the court was told.

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