Rival gangs armed with guns, machetes and swords jailed for horror violence at Midlands Kabaddi tournament

Rival gangs armed with guns, machetes and swords who unleashed 'abhorrent' violence at a Midlands Kabaddi tournament have been locked up for almost 40 years. Thugs took part in the pre-planned brawl which was said to have been organised over 'honour'.

The large-scale fight left a number of people injured, with some even needing hospital treatment. One willing participant was shot in the groin 'while acting like some kind of Medieval warrior king'.

Footage of the ordeal captured the rival gangs in running battles as shocked onlookers fled in fear. Although about 40 men were said to be involved in the horrifying disorder, just seven have faced justice.

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The seven men - from the Black Country, Derby and Hounslow - were sentenced for their part in the violence today. A trial at Derby Crown Court heard how violence broke out between two groups on August 20, 2023.

Police were called to the scene, off Elvaston Lane, Alvaston, Derby, just before 4pm after reports of shots being fired and people fighting with weapons. The fight had been pre-planned, with a group meeting taking place in Brunswick Street, Derby.

Footage played to the court captured some of the violence. In the recording, one man could be seen being attacked with weapons as he lay on the ground, DerbyshireLive reports.

Parminder Singh, from Smethwick, had attended a pre-meeting. He was captured on drone footage doning a face covering and with his hood up.

The 25-year-old was also seen to move towards a hedge between two fields at the scene, with police later finding a shoulder bag in the area which contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol. His DNA was found on both the pistol and the bag.

Malkeet Singh was part of the other group and was also involved with the violence before he was 'horrifically' assaulted, suffering injuries to his head. Co-defendant Hardev Uppal travelled to the scene with Malkeet.

Footage captured him firing a Turkish revolver at Karamjit Singh, hitting him in the groin. Dad-of-three Hardev was then assaulted by members of the rival group and suffered a fractured skull.

Doodhnath Tripathi was part of a group that assaulted Malkeet with swords and other weapons. Footage showed him launching a 'ferocious attack with no remorse' on Malkeet.

Karamjit Singh - who was shot in the groin during the onslaught - was seen on video brandishing two swords above his head. He was then involved in the violence against Hardev and Malkeet before he put the machetes in a car and left the scene as the violence subsided.

He had to have the bullet removed during surgery at hospital. A judge told him: "You were a determined participant at the front of one of the groups and acted like some kind of Medieval warrior king."

Married dad-of-two Jagjit Singh - the younger brother of co-defendant Baljit Singh - was seen firing a gun during the disorder. Baljit Singh - also a married dad-of-two - had possession of a weapon.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Bennett said: "This was undoubtedly planned violence. Both groups brought firearms, knives, swords and bats with them, many had travelled long distances and around 40 men were involved in the serious disorder. About half a dozen firearms were discharged and at least four people required immediate hospital treatment.

"Police recovered bladed articles, swords, bats and two firearms, both loaded. The cause of the incident remains unknown, no defendant has chosen to explain this.

"There has been a conspiracy of silence as to the origin of the violence. One of the defendants, in his pre-sentence report, said 'all I know is that it involved honour from one of the parties, I did not question it, it was justified'.

"Anything else is just pure speculation. Any injuries were brought about by their voluntary decision to take part in this organised violence.

"The consequences for those involved were immense, most have families, most are in employment and few have been involved in trouble before. Yet they travelled from across the country to take part in this organised violence.

"This was a confrontation which required significant planning where groups had an arsenal of weapons." The men received these sentences:

• Parminder Singh, 25, of Parkes Road, Smethwick, was jailed for six-and-a-half years after being convicted of violent disorder and possession of a firearm with intent to cause violence
• Malkeet Singh, 24, of Court Road, Wolverhampton, was jailed for three years after being convicted of violent disorder
• Hardev Uppal, 34, of Sycamore Road, Tipton, was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after admitting possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding with intent
• Doodhnath Tripathi, 29, of Manor Avenue, Hounslow, was jailed for five years and 10 months after admitting violent disorder wounding
• Karamjit Singh, 36, of Shakespeare Street, Derby, was jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting possession of a bladed article and violent disorder
• Jagjit Singh, 31, Bolton Road, Wolverhampton, was jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
• Baljit Singh, 33, of Lawfred Avenue, Wolverhampton, was jailed for three years and nine months for possession of a bladed article and violent disorder

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, of Derbyshire Constabulary, was the senior investigating officer. He said: "This should have been a fun family day out at a sporting event but it descended into a huge violent disorder which left multiple people injured and many people in fear for their safety.

"These men attended this event with the specific intention of causing trouble having pre-planned their attack and arming themselves with weapons. Their actions and the level of violence seen on this day was abhorrent.

"For the many people who attended the event with good intentions, this was a very frightening and upsetting scene and we are grateful to them, as well as the wider community, for all of their help with our investigation throughout. We know this investigation has had a huge impact on people and I’d like to thank all those who have helped us bring these seven men to justice as well as all of the officers involved in what has been a long and very complex investigation.

"Detective Constable Stevie Barker, who led the investigation, added: "These men showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others during this event, which was intended to be a fun sporting tournament but ended with mindless violence caused by these two groups. Their actions on the day left a number of people with physical injuries and also had a mental and emotional impact on the hundreds of spectators who were there to enjoy the Kabaddi tournament with their friends and families.

"The subsequent investigation into this disorder has been very complex and wide-ranging, involving hundreds of officers, not just from Derbyshire but across the country and I’d like to thank them for all of their help. I’m also very grateful to the local community for their support in the days and weeks that followed this incident as I know it did have a significant impact on them."