Full Breakdown
Violent Brawl Between Rival Kebab Shop Families in Newport Leads to Jail Sentences
11/8/2025, 12:21:23 PM
Overview of the Incident
On August 1, 2023, a violent confrontation erupted between two rival kebab shop families in Newport, Wales, resulting in multiple injuries and subsequent jail sentences for several participants. The families involved, the Aksoys and the Sayaks, own competing kebab shops—Family Kebab and Antalya Kebab, respectively. The incident, captured on CCTV, showcased a brutal street fight involving weapons such as metal poles, kebab shop tools, and a walking stick.
Key Details of the Brawl
The altercation began when Firat Sayak struck Mehmet Aksoy outside Antalya Kebab. Following this initial confrontation, Mehmet Aksoy called for reinforcements, leading to a rapid escalation of violence as family members from both sides arrived armed. The fight unfolded in a busy area, with onlookers witnessing the chaos. Police arrived shortly after the brawl concluded, discovering several individuals with severe injuries, including Savas Sayak, who sustained a significant head wound.
Sentencing Outcomes
At Newport Crown Court, seven men pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The sentences were as follows:
- Firat Sayak, 45, received a two-year prison term.
- Savas Sayak, 34, was also sentenced to two years.
- Mehmet Aksoy, 52; Mazhar Aksoy, 40; and Murat Aksoy, 28, each received two-year sentences.
- Yagmur Sayak, 43, and Burak Aksoy, 25, were given 12-month sentences, suspended for 21 months, along with community service requirements.
Background and Context
The animosity between the Aksoy and Sayak families reportedly stems from disputes linked to family infighting in Turkey. Judge Richard Kember emphasized that the violence was not merely a rivalry between kebab shops but rather a manifestation of deeper familial conflicts. Following the incident, community leaders from the Turkish and Kurdish communities in Wales facilitated reconciliation efforts between the two families.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Kember condemned the violence, describing it as a "disgraceful outbreak of violence and disorder" that occurred in a public space. He noted the importance of community values and the need for peaceful resolutions. In mitigation, it was highlighted that both families have since reconciled and signed a "peace and reconciliation covenant."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the reconciliation efforts, the incident raised concerns within the local community regarding the implications of such public violence. Community leaders expressed worries that the brawl did not reflect the values of the Kurdish and Turkish communities in Wales.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Judge Richard Kember told the defendants: “This was a disgraceful outbreak of violence and disorder.” — Judge Richard Kember
- “The origin of the animosity between the two families is a result of infighting connected to their families in Turkey.” — Prosecutor Alex Orndal
What's Next
The defendants will serve their sentences, with some facing potential deportation upon release. The court has mandated the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons used in the brawl, and all defendants are required to pay a victim surcharge. The local community continues to monitor the situation to ensure that such violence does not recur.
