Let’s not try to sugar-coat the obvious truth: Most of us are more stressed out than ever. While our specific sources of stress vary based on what’s happening in our individual lives, one thing we all share is that a lot of what keeps us up at night is totally out of our control.
The one thing we can manage, however, is our reaction to stress. Being able to regulate our strong emotions is an invaluable skill because they can affect not only our physical health, but also our most precious relationships.
So, when it seems like the world around us has erupted into flames and we feel that meme of the dog drinking coffee at his little table, eyes glazed over, saying “this is fine” — how can we actually mean it?
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That’s what we — Raj Punjabi-Johnson and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPost’s Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast — asked Ryan Martin, a psychologist, dean at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, and the author of several books on emotions including his latest, Emotion Hacks.
Press play to hear the full episode and learn how to hack your emotions:
One aspect of emotional regulation that Martin emphasised is choosing healthy distractions (versus coping mechanisms that may do more harm than good in the long run). If we execute these correctly, they can save us from — or at least tone down — panic that tends to swell when stress gets the best of us.
The one common thread that runs through all four tools, as you’ll find, is to shift focus away from your stressor in order to army-crawl your way out of despair and find a calmer headspace.
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Here’s what Martin suggests:
1. Phone a friend. Martin wholeheartedly endorses Raj’s go-to coping mechanism of calling (or hanging out with) a friend who can make you laugh. Feeling joyfully connected to another human during a high-stress time can help you feel better fast.
2. Have a visual security blanket. Having a rerun of your favourite show or even some cute pet reels bookmarked on your phone can serve as an emotional life raft when you need it most. “I actually save, on my computer, some sort of motivating clips from YouTube that I can just go check out every now and then when I’m feeling down,” Martin says.
3. Shift your mind’s focus entirely. “I recently started colouring. I am not a good artist, but I found that … my brain doesn’t like rest as much as I want it to,” Martin says. “So I started [colouring] for 10 minutes a day.” This activity, he explains, diverts his mind away from politics or work or whatever he’s stressing about and gives it something new to focus on. “It’s kind of like having a mantra.”
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4. Get outside. Martin points to a wealth of data that finds just how wonderful being outside in nature can make you feel. One study took it a step further, suggesting that being in nature and focusing on an activity — in this scenario, it was bird-watching — can be even more helpful. “And that’s because [the people in the study] were giving themselves something to focus on,” he says. “Instead of being in nature but then still thinking about work, they were thinking about birds. … It doesn’t have to be birds. It could be identifying plants. It could be looking for animals.” But it gives you something to focus on besides your stress.
Martin reminded us that these healthy distractions — which are essentially tools to help ground you when you hit an overload of some kind — aren’t just meant to be emergency emotional triage (though they certainly can be). They work best when they turn into habits that you practice regularly.
However, Martin also pointed out that avoiding discomfort shouldn’t always be our goal.
“I want to be careful about the idea of encouraging just avoidance too regularly because avoidance can certainly lead to other kinds of problems,” he said. “One of the things that I do think is important is that people … do need to learn to sit with some discomfort sometimes. We need to get maybe a little better at challenging ourselves.”
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Martin said the goal isn’t to experience so much discomfort that it “harms” or “re-traumatises” us, but enough that we can start to get used to the feeling and work through it.
“The most obvious example of this is oftentimes around politics,” Martin noted. “This is something that I find myself regularly getting angry about and sometimes to a point that it doesn’t feel healthy for me anymore to wallow in it too much.”
Still, Martin said he recognises that avoiding all current events wouldn’t be healthy for him either.
“There’s a point at which I need to engage with that sort of thing just to be an informed person and to acknowledge what people are going through. And so I’m always trying to sort of find that balance of exposing myself to things I know are going to make me angry … while also trying to take care of myself.”
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We also chatted with Martin about other powerful mood hacks, how to shift our personal narrative, and the ways exercise does (and doesn’t) help improve our mood.
Have a question or need some help with something you’ve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.
Allen Karem Chand was shoved into the road where he struck his head, suffering a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain
Robson McCallister and Olivia Bridge
19:48, 09 Mar 2026
A man has pleaded guilty to killing an Army veteran in a random attack after he pushed the grandfather to the ground at a bus stop.
A court heard Muntahar Ahmed grabbed Allen Karem Chand’s walking stick before shoving him off the kerb at around 3.30pm on January 14 last year, reports Birmingham Live.
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As 82-year-old victim lay in the road at the bus stop on Soho Road, Handsworth, members of the public rushed to his aid. Tragically, he died in hospital five days later having sustained a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.
It was also heard how Ahmed walked off from the scene, leaving the beloved grandfather in the street.
Officers arrested Ahmed, who had revisited Soho Road, two days after the attack. He was initially charged with wounding which was changed to manslaughter following Mr Chand’s death.
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It was established Ahmed and Mr Chand – who had a trolley with him – did not know each other and had made their separate ways to the number 74 bus stop. Within a minute, Ahmed had become violent towards Mr Chand.
Today, Monday, March 9. Ahmed, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court. He will be sentenced at a later date.
In a tribute, Mr Chand’s family said: “Our father was loving, caring, and never deceived anyone. He taught us to respect the law as an ex-army man, and we will always miss him.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus said whoever believes in me, though he may die he shall live. Our father is not physically with us but he is alive with Lord Jesus.”
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Det Sgt Joanne Potter, from West Midlands Police’s homicide unit, said: “This was an unnecessary act of violence which led to the tragic death of an 82-year-old man.
“They had been at the same bus stop for less than a minute when Ahmed grabbed at Mr Chand’s walking stick and pushed into the road.
“He sustained serious injuries from which he sadly had little chance of surviving. It remains unclear what prompted this attack, but it’s clear this was not an act of self-defence.
“There was no need for Ahmed to do what he did, and it has ultimately cost an elderly man his life.”
The new £6.5million development will include a convenience store and petrol station for the Henderson Group, which currently has 15 similar Eurospar sites in Northern Ireland.
In chambers a spokesperson for the applicant said:”As this was a local application there had been no public consultation which led to many objections on the planning portal.
“However, following a voluntary public consultation there were only 10 further objections.
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“This will mark a £6.5m investment with the opening of a Eurospar and a hub for community use.”
A report in chambers showed there had been “246 objections” to the plans. The development close to the “Ballymaconaghy Road, Belfast” includes a neighbourhood centre with two retail units.
Objections on the Northern Ireland planning portal included concerns around environmental impact, noise pollution and increased traffic into the area.
The committee was told that sound barriers and a planting scheme would be put into place as well as traffic safety measures.
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Lisburn North SDLP councillor Pat Catney said: “You have said there are 14 other Henderson stores in this council area and I know of one at Fairview.
“There is a fear among people in the area that more lorries could start to use short cuts on the roads through residential areas. Will that happen with this store?”
An agent for the applicant responded: “This would not happen.”
A council officer added: “This area was included in a 1996 master-plan. “The travel routes have been well thought out.”
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Castlereagh South Sinn Fein councillor Daniel Bassett asked the developer to consider putting new traffic lights in place.
The chamber heard that further traffic measures were being put in place, including signal traffic lights around a nearby housing development. This was in a second application by PWD Developments Ltd.
The committee approved 26 properties on a site between Brooke Hall and Brooke Hall Heights in Castlereagh. A council officer said: “This is the last piece of the jigsaw for these lands.”
Plans lodged with City of York Council would see the rear courtyard of The Little Ale House, in Stonegate, converted into an outdoor drinking area with space for around 50 people.
Owners Harrogate Tipple’s application stated it would bring a space with views of York Minster and the 12th Century Norman House into use for its patrons.
The plans would see the area, which is currently used as a service yard, converted into a landscaped beer garden with an oak-framed outdoor bar.
Plans stated the development would follow the conversion of the upper floors of the Grade II*-listed 46-50, Stonegate into the craft ale bar which opened in December.
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The space previously housed the Little Bettys café which closed in 2021.
Plans for the beer garden would see the existing concrete and asphalt surface of the yard replaced with materials such as stone flags or brick paving.
A dead tree is set to be removed and moveable planters and pots would be put into the garden.
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A mix of timber benches, picnic tables and stools would provide seating and festoon and wall-mounted lights would also be installed.
An impression showing how the beer garden planned for The Little Ale House, in Stonegate, York, could look. Picture is from Harrogate Tipple/York Council’s planning portal
The free-standing outdoor bar would be closed by timber cladding beneath a pitched slate roof.
Part of the ruins of the 12th Norman House, which is thought to be the oldest surviving domestic building in York, runs along the side of the courtyard.
Plans stated the conversion would create an exciting space reflecting the traditions of York’s historic courtyard inns.
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They added they would have no effect on the Norman House remains bordering the yard.
The application stated: “The existing courtyard is visually unattractive and inaccessible to patrons, yet it enjoys glimpsed views towards York Minster and the Norman House.
“Creating a small beer garden would support the viability of the new business, provide an outdoor meeting space in keeping with York’s tradition of courtyard inns, and give the public the opportunity to appreciate the Norman remains.”
RAF Typhoon jets took out one drone heading to Jordan and intercepted another heading to Bahrain as UK deploys additional air operations experts to the Gulf
Laura Hill and Rebecca Robinson
19:03, 09 Mar 2026Updated 19:23, 09 Mar 2026
MOD shares footage of an RAF Typhoon jet taking out suspected drone
RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled overnight to protect two Middle Eastern nations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed. The aircraft destroyed an uncrewed aerial system targeting Jordan and intercepted a drone en route to Bahrain.
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Extra air operations specialists have also been sent to the Gulf to maintain “an accurate air picture across the region” and support Britain’s allies with airspace management.
The MoD also confirmed that the RAF is now dispatching planes in defence of the UAE.
The MoD posted on X: “Overnight, RAF Typhoon jets successfully took out an uncrewed aerial system in defence of Jordan and successfully intercepted a drone that was heading in the direction of Bahrain. The UK has begun conducting defensive air sorties in support of the United Arab Emirates.
“To support defensive operations, the UK has deployed additional air operations experts to the Gulf – ensuring an accurate air picture across the region and assisting partners with airspace management.
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“The UK has begun conducting defensive air sorties in support of the United Arab Emirates”
Meanwhile, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters have been dispatched to Britain’s Cyprus bases to bolster defensive operations and identify aerial threats, reports the Express.
The MoD continued: “Further Wildcat helicopters have arrived at our bases in Cyprus to support defensive operations in the region. A Merlin helicopter has now arrived in theatre to further strengthen our ability to detect aerial threats.”
This comes after the MoD confirmed yesterday that a deadly drone fired from Iran was disrupted by British fighter jets. RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets successfully intervened and stopped the drone which had been headed towards Iraq.
Meanwhile, the UK has “temporarily” evacuated the dependents of embassy staff in the UAE “as a precautionary measure”, the Foreign Office announced.
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The statement read: “Due to the ongoing security situation, as a precautionary measure we have decided to temporarily withdraw the dependents of British Embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates. Our embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal.”
Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that the first US bomber landed at RAF Fairford on Friday, after the UK gave the US permission to use British bases for specific defensive operations.
He told MPs: “I can also confirm to the House that, having given the US the go ahead to use British bases for specific defensive operations into Iran last Sunday, the first US bomber landed at RAF Fairford on Friday”.
He reiterated that these missions are to destroy Iranian missiles at source and are in accordance with international law.
Call the Midwife star Jenny Agutter looks completely different to Sister Julienne in a vintage Instagram photo ahead of the BBC series finale
Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter and Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
19:22, 09 Mar 2026
Jenny Agutter, star of Call the Midwife, appears strikingly different from her character Sister Julienne in a nostalgic photograph.
The 73-year-old actress has been a staple of the popular BBC period drama since its inception in 2012, portraying the Sister-in-Charge at Nonnatus House.
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In the current series, which concludes this weekend, Sister Julienne grapples with significant challenges as Nonnatus House transitions into the 1970s, facing pressure from the council to swap traditional habits for uniforms.
This season has seen more sombre storylines, including a baby abduction in the fourth episode, with Sister Julienne steering the future direction of the order’s missionary work.
As viewers eagerly anticipate the series finale, an old photo of Jenny has surfaced on an Instagram account named Jenny Agutter News, reports the Mirror.
The TV star can be seen sporting a brunette shoulder-length hair do wearing a peach vest top under a white caftan with a floral design and a white skirt.
One fan wrote in the comment section: “Oh Sister Julienne what would the mother house say.”
Another person gushed “What a lovely picture” and a third added: “Ravishing and you still are very beautiful.”
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The post emerges just days ahead of the final episode of the current Call the Midwife season, set to broadcast nationwide on Sunday (March 8).
Fans will be disheartened to discover that the drama will be taking a hiatus and won’t return for its customary Christmas special later this year.
In a conversation with Radio Times, series creator Heidi Thomas revealed: “We have made 15 series in 15 years and I’ve known for a couple of years that situation won’t go on forever. The sets need repair. The nuns’ habits are worn out. It takes 14 months to make every series.”
The upcoming Series 16 is anticipated to diverge significantly from the familiar format, with Heidi confirming that Nonnatus House will be replaced by a community hospital.
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During its break, Call the Midwife will spawn a prequel spin-off set in the 1940s, as well as a film slated for 1972 featuring the regular cast.
The yet-to-be-titled prequel will spotlight beloved characters Sister Julienne, Sister Monica Joan and the late Sister Evangeline.
Series 15 of Call the Midwife concludes on Sunday, March 8 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
Arsenal, meanwhile, get another sympathetic tie. They survived a scare as they visited Mansfield Town in the fifth round, where the match was level at 1-1 with 50 minutes played, but an Eberechi Eze rocket ensured their progression.
They will visit Southampton in the next stage of the competition.
Chelsea also subjected their supporters to a nervous watch at the weekend as they allowed Wrexham to take them to extra-time at the Racecourse Ground.
They denied the Welsh outfit and their Hollywood owners the dream finish they were in the market for, though, as George Dobson was sent off in second-half injury time, allowing the Blues to put the tie to bed with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro.
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Liam Rosenior will hope for a more routine outing as he hosts League One strugglers Port Vale, the lowest-ranked side still in the competition.
There will be another all Premier League tie completing the order as Leeds, who got the better of Norwich last time out, visit either West Ham or Brentford.
Quarter-final fixtures are scheduled to be played over the weekend of April 4/5, 2026.
When asked if he was involved in her murder in any way, her ex-boyfriend said ‘No, not one bit’
An ex-boyfriend of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally addressed the man accused of murdering her in court today and said “you killed her.”
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Ms McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was beaten, stabbed and strangled in her Silverwood Green home on the evening of Sunday December 18, 2022.
The father of her unborn child, 36-year old Stephen McCullagh from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been accused of and has denied her murder.
A trial centring on the murder of the 32-year-old is now in its third week and a former boyfriend – whose name is the subject of a reporting restriction – was the latest witness called to give evidence.
He spent all day in the witness at Belfast Crown Court where he was questioned by barristers for both the Crown and defence.
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Under questioning from Crown KC Charles MacCreanor, the witness confirmed he and Ms McNally met on Tinder in 2019 and that following this he moved into her house for around a year. He said that after securing a flat, he moved out “after coronavirus>Covid” but said they “kept meeting up” after he moved out on a regular basis.
When asked when his relationship with Ms McNally ended, the witness said she was his “best friend” and that the relationship “never ended, as far as friends went.”
He then confirmed that he started a new relationship with a woman who moved in with him and quickly became pregnant. The witness was then asked about a series of messages exchanged between him and Mc McNally between the summer and December of 2022.
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In these exchanges, which were via email and on WhatsApp, some of the messages were of a sexually explicit nature. The witness admitted sending and receiving messages with Ms McNally right up to the evening of her death.
He also admitted the last time he and Ms McNally were together sexually was around October 2022 in her house. Mr MacCreanor then asked the witness “looking back on it now, how do you feel you treated Natalie at that time?”
He replied: “Heartbreaking. The last time I saw Natalie she was lying on her bed on her side. I could tell she was raging at me.
“I has come round and had sex then I was away and I could tell she was … that memory of the last time seeing her, I wish it was something nicer than her looking annoyed at me, annoyed at herself.”
Saying he “wasn’t proud” of this last meeting, the witness said: “I definitely took advantage of Natalie, definitely. I feel horrible about it.”
After saying “Natalie really was my best friend”, the witness then looked at McCullagh as he sat in the dock and said “and you killed her.”
At this point Mr Justice Kinney told the witness to “calm down and answer the questions you are being asked please.”
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The witness then continued and said he knew Ms McNally for years and there was “a lot more” to their relationship than text messages. mHe added: “She was the nicest girl ever, she would have done anything for anybody. She helped me in so much and I feel horrible … I just wish I had been better to her. I definitely took advantage of Natalie and her good heart.”
Mr MacCreanor then asked the witness what he was doing on the evening of Sunday December 18, 2022. He recalled it being the evening of the World Cup Final and said that after he consumed Buckfast and beers, he fell asleep in his flat.
He also told the jury of six men and six women that his girlfriend had a video of him lying sleeping, and said “I never left the flat that night.”
When asked how he found out about Ms McNally’s death, the witness said he received message from one of her neighbours on Snapchat telling him she had been murdered.
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The prosecutor also asked him about being arrested on suspicion of murder of Ms McNally’s murder. The witness confirmed he was interviewed by police on December 22, 2022 and asked what his aim was regarding Ms McNally, he said it was “to tell them as much as possible.”
He said that following his arrest “I knew I hadn’t done it” and he wasn’t worried as “the truth will always come out.”
Mr MacCreanor then asked the witness if he was aware that McCullagh had “pointed the police” towards him as the person who may have harmed Ms McNally and he replied “yeah, it’s ridiculous.”
And when asked if he was involved in her murder in any way, her ex-boyfriend said: “No, not one bit.”
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He then added: “He [McCullagh] was. He done it. A blind person could see that.”
The witness was also cross-examined by defence barrister John Kearney KC. The barrister asked him about the year he lived with Ms McNally in Silverwood Green and he confirmed that she usually left her front door unlocked and that on occasion the back door was left “wide open.”
He was then questioned about Ms McNally’s dog River and when asked if the dog would have been familiar with him, the witness said “I know where you are going with this. Yes, she would have been.”
Asked by Mr Kearney what he meant by that, the witness said: “You are going to try and crack that because it was my dog that the dog didn’t attack me whenever I went round.
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“It wasn’t me in Natalie’s house that night, it was him (McCullagh).”
At this point the defence barrister asked the witness if he had “trouble with anger control?” and he said: “I have been extremely stressed for the last three years, accused of murder, something I didn’t do.”
He then added that “at times” he did have potential anger issues. Mr Kearney then asked him about other ex-partners and in particular the woman he was with when Ms McNally died.
Mr Kearney also asked if he had ever grabbed her, throttled her, struck her or laid a finger on her and he replied “no” to each question.
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He was also asked about WhatsApp messages he sent to her last weekend and whether or not he threatened her. The witness said there was “a load of slabbering going on from both parties” and that he was arrested the following day.
He said he “made it clear” he didn’t want to be with her any more and that he had blocked then unblocked her. Asked if he messaged her and told her he was tempted to go to her house to kick her head in because he hated her so much, he replied “potentially, yeah.”
He added: “There was toxic slabbering going on. That’s why I had her blocked, to stop all this. I’ve got wee angry thumbs that send wee stupid messages. These stupid thumbs say stupid things.”
Mr Kearney said “well those wee angry thumbs are connected to wee angry wrists and ultimately to an angry brain, isn’t that right?”
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Asked again if he had a problem with anger management, the witness said he could get “extremely wound up and say stupid things” but he denied threatening to kill her or physically assaulting his ex-partner.
The witness is due to return to court to resume his evidence on Tuesday morning.
A planning inspector has rejected an appeal against North Yorkshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to build a holiday let in part of the overgrown beer garden of the historic Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon.
Villagers had branded the proposal as a deliberate attempt to sabotage their plans.
Justin Claybourn, who owns part of the pub, appealed against the council decision, leading to an appeal hearing being held in Harrogate last month.
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The hearing was attended by Mr Claybourn, the pub’s co-owner, David Fielder, North Yorkshire Council and four representatives of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group.
Rejecting the appeal, the Inspector, Ms Michelle Clowes, said: “The conversion of the outbuildings to a holiday let would effectively landlock the remaining Henry Jenkins Inn with land in the appellant’s control.
“…I am not satisfied that it has been demonstrated that the Inn could viably be operated a public house without the land comprising the appeal site.”
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She said that the restoration and reopening of the Henry Jenkins would provide additional choice for residents and visitors, adding “I am mindful that there remain a sizeable number of objections to the current proposal which also advocate support for the reopening of the Henry Jenkins as a community pub.
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“There is therefore evidence before me that the Inn would be valued by local residents and no doubt visitors to the Nidderdale area.”
In her decision, the planning inspector cited a range of government planning policies backing the provision of community facilities.
Key to her decision was the owner’s failure to carry out an independent valuation or properly market the Henry Jenkins as a pub.
The Inspector, who carried out a site visit of the 250-year-old pub, also slammed the current state of the pub, which has been closed since 2011.
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She said: “The stripping out of internal fittings in 2015 does not reflect the actions of a landlord or seller seeking a continuation of pub use, and is likely to have deterred prospective occupiers… there do not appear to be any attempts to repair the roof to make it watertight.”
Richard Sadler, chair of the 140-strong Henry Jenkins Community Pub group, told the Press the decision was a “huge boost” to the campaign, which was further boosted by the comments made by the inspector.
“It is a vote of confidence in our campaign. She acknowledges our submissions amount to convincing evidence that we still have support for our plans.
To date, villagers have raised £150,000 to buy the pub and they will continue fundraising to create a community-owned pub, bistro and coffee shop.
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Richard further told the Press: “Our strategy is to use this as a platform to press ahead with negotiations with North Yorkshire Council in breaking the stalemate.
“This has gone on long enough. The Henry Jenkins has been a blight on the village. The owner has been trying to wear down the village. We are not going away. We are bolstered by the decision. We will be going to North Yorkshire Council to end the stalemate. All our offers to buy the pub have been rejected.”
In 2024 HJCP was awarded a £330,000 grant under the Conservative Government’s Community Ownership Fund but the offer was later withdrawn because of the group was unable to reach agreement with the owner.
Fulham and Sunderland saw themselves unceremoniously knocked out of the running, having been on the losing end of 1-0 defeats by Southampton and Port Vale, respectively. The latter club, who sit rock bottom in League One, are now the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. Arsenal, conversely, are the highest, and they eased past Mansfield to confirm their progression on Sunday. Chelsea had a rather more stressful outing, requiring extra time to get by Championship side Wrexham.
Omed Pirot, 31, Sardam Ebrahimi, 28, and Shahab Husseini, 25, are accused of taking part in violent disorder
A brawl between two rival barber shops spilled out into the street in front of stunned onlookers as punches and kicks were reigned down on the participants, a court has heard. Some of the men allegedly involved in the brawl are accused of using weapons including a wrench.
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Omed Pirot, 31, Sardam Ebrahimi, 28, and Shahab Husseini, 25, are alleged to have become involved in an incident of violent disorder between two barbershops, Marmaris Barbers in Blackwood and Kurds Barbers in Newbridge. The three defendants are accused of taking part in the melee along with 13 others in Blackwood High Street in front of innocent bystanders including children.
A trial at Newport Crown Court on Monday heard Pirot, from Marmaris Barbers, was planning on opening a new shop in Newbridge which was “not received well” by staff at Kurds Barbers. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
The court heard at around 2.30pm on February 13 last year four cars were driven from Newbridge to Blackwood and pulled up outside Absolutely Fabulous hairdressers on the High Street. In his opening to the court, prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said: “The two factions then meet up on the street and a large-scale fight erupts.”
Customers at Absolutely Fabulous described seeing a group of men involved in a scuffle outside. Staff at the hairdressers were “frantic and scared” the men would get in as they pushed up against the windows of the salon.
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Tracey Baker, a Gwent Police station enquiry officer, was driving through the high street when she saw a group of men fighting. She said: “There was no individual that stood out to me as being the main aggressor and all the males present were acting aggressively towards each other.”
Mair Bradshaw was a passenger in a car driving past when she saw what she described as “two gangs fighting one another” and said they were “all as bad as one another”.
Reading a statement on Ms Bradshaw’s behalf, Mr Gobir said: “There was no individual that stood out to me as being the main aggressor and all the males present were acting aggressively towards each other.”
After multiple 999 calls were made and reports that “five people had been stabbed”, police officers attended Marmaris Barbers and spoke to five people allegedly involved in the incident, three of which had visible injuries.
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CCTV footage was obtained from Blackwood High Street as well as footage filmed by witnesses and posted on social media. Several pairs of scissors were also retrieved from the street.
Pirot was taken to hospital with a serious head injury and was found to have suffered a fractured skull. When interviewed Pirot denied using unlawful violence and said he was acting in self defence.
Ebrahimi confirmed he worked at Marmaris Barbershop in Blackwood and said a lot of people came to the shop but he was not involved in the argument or the fighting. He said he went outside and picked up a spanner and put it in his pocket to stop anyone using it. The defendant said he put this in the shop and denied unlawfully assaulting anyone.
Mr Gobir said: “However, after being shown CCTV footage of him punching someone who was looking away, he gave a ‘no comment’ interview. The prosecution says that was not self defence but unlawful violence.”
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Husseini told officers his friend had bought a shop in Newbridge and had problems with people threatening him. He said he had just finished with a customer when his boss walked outside and when he next looked a brawl was taking place. The defendant said he was “fearful for his friends” and his actions were in self defence. He denies stabbing anyone.
Concluding his opening, Mr Gobir said: “The prosecution case is that this was a disturbance in which all the defendants have played a part in the fighting that took place or in continuing and escalating the nature of the violence.”
Identifying the defendants’ alleged involvement in the brawl, the prosecutor said Ebrahimi threw a punch at another man and was seen to pick up an object from the floor.
Husseini was said to have been seen taking a weapon to an unknown male and making “overhead slashing movements” at him.
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Pirot was said to have been involved in fighting with another man before being hit to the head and falling to the floor. It was then said he threw a punch towards another man and took part in “brawling” across the street.
Mr Gobir added: “The prosecution case is unlawful violence was carried out. No one is acting in self defence, the defendants could have easily removed themselves from that situation but instead they stayed there and enthusiastically got involved in the fighting.”
Pirot, of High Street Pentwynmawr, Ebrahimi, of Raglan Court, Newport, and Husseini, of Clarence Street, Pontypool, have all pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and affray. The trial continues.
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