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From the
https://www.mylondon.news By Sam Truelove, 13 February 2019.
Barber 'stabbed Crystal Palace fan in South London pub' after being 'racially abused'.
Sami Mercan admits using a cut throat razor, but denies he meant to cause any harm.
A barber who allegedly stabbed a Crystal Palace fan at a South London
pub did so in "self-defence" and because he was racially abused, a court
has heard.
Sami Mercan, 20, is charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
against Steven Barnes at The Crooked Billet, on Penge High Street, on
August 20, 2018.
Mercan, who worked as a barber at the time of the attack, admits
stabbing Mr Barnes in the shoulder with a cut throat razor, but denies
he meant to cause him any harm.
The defendant claims he acted in self-defence after he was alleges he
was racially abused and called a "stupid c***".
The trial of Mercan, who denies causing GBH harm with intent, entered
day three on Wednesday (February 13) at Croydon Crown Court.
Mercan gave evidence at the hearing, telling the jury his version of
events. He said he was working as a barber on Penge High Street at the
time and had planned to cut a friend's hair after work. He also planned
to go to his girlfriend's house.
One of his friends was in The Crooked Billet, so he ended up joining
them for a “half-pint”. He didn’t get to finish his drink because of
what happened involving Mr Barnes.
Mercan said he went to the pub “quite regularly”, and on that night the
match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool was being shown.
He had his full barber equipment in a bag, including razors, clippers,
scissors and various combs.
The defendant told the jury he had previously cut Mr Barnes’ hair, as
well as his son’s, in the barber shop.
According to Mercan, they had a conversation in the pub which started
out as “friendly banter”. But this soon turned sour after the defendant
mocked Mr Barnes for supporting Palace.
“He became aggressive after I told him Palace were sh**,” Mercan told
the court.
The jury heard that Mr Barnes allegedly told Mercan he was a member of
Combat 18 - described in court as a neo-Nazi terrorist organisation.
“Apparently him and his group [Combat 18] hated people like me, that is
what he said,” Mercan said.
“He also told me on the night he had ‘fu**** my mum’.
“He also made threats to kill me and my family.”
Mr Barnes was described as being "drunk" by the defendant, who added he
was allegedly called a "P**i" and a "stupid c***".
Mercan told the jury he acted against Mr Barnes in “self-defence”.
“I attacked him before he attacked me,” he said, going on to explain he
used a razor he had in his pocket from work.
The court heard Mercan went to go outside for a cigarette, and at this
point the victim became “more aggressive”.
“I struck him on the shoulder because I felt threatened,” Mercan said.
“If I didn’t attack him he was going to attack me, I am sure.”
When asked if meant to hurt Mr Barnes, Mercan replied "no".
The jury was shown shown CCTV footage from the pub. In it you can see
Mercan and Mr Barnes exchanging words, and the defendant then goes to
leave the pub but appears to be called back by Mr Barnes.
Mercan then appears to lash out at Mr Barnes’ shoulder, before running
off.
Mr Cherrill asked Mercan how he feels about what happened.
“I feel disgusted with myself,” he replied.
Cross examining, prosecution barrister Alexander Krikler asked Mercan a
series of questions about his intention to hurt the victim, something
which he denies.
“There was no need to stab him in the way you did, was there?” asked Mr
Krikler.
“There was no need but as I said I was defending myself,” replied the
defendant.
“You were not acting in self defence, were you?” asked Mr Krikler.
“You’re mistaken, sir,” said Mercan.
The trial continues.
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