Two teenagers who brandished machetes during a fight outside a city centre art gallery have been jailed.
Police were called to Weekday Cross, Nottingham, around 12.30 pm on Wednesday 31 January, after violent disorder broke out between two groups.
A number of youths were seen wielding knives during the incident, which happened outside the Nottingham Contemporary.
No injuries were reported but an investigation was immediately launched to identify those involved.
Jordan Bazuna, aged 19, and 18-year-old Jack Bolton were arrested for their involvement.
Both were identified by detectives on CCTV footage waving machetes around and threatening each other.
Bazuna, of Nottingham, was sent to a youth offender institution for 16 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (27 March).
Bolton, of Nottingham, was put behind bars for 18 months.
Both had earlier pleaded guilty to affray and threats with a blade in a public place.
The judge, Recorder David Bedenham, said it must have been a ‘petrifying and shocking’ scene for anyone to witness and could have led to further serious disorder.
Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was an appalling incident, in the middle of the day, outside a busy city centre venue.
“Officers and members of the public will share a sense of revulsion to see knives being wielded in such a reckless fashion on our streets.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, but that is no thanks to Bazuna and Bolton who were identified as waving knives around and threatening each other during the altercation.
“I hope the police response – which included public appeals, many hours of painstaking detective work and rapid arrests and charges – provides some comfort to anyone who witnessed it.
“I also hope the wider public are reassured by the sentences handed down in court.
“As a force we have always been very clear, we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and any report of knives being brandished like this will always be met with a robust response.
“We need people to understand that carrying a knife does not protect you and can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families.
“The force’s work to educate young people about the risks and consequences of knife crime continues through education sessions in schools or colleges, engagement work in the community and proactive policing.”
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