A Turkish barber stabbed and battered rivals in Scotland after feeling disrespected regarding photos of his dead friend.
Mehmet Celik, a Turkish barber, felt disrespected after the other barbers did not display his deceased friend’s photos. Celik’s friend had tragically died, and the violent attack, in which Celik used scissors, occurred at his late friend’s barbershop.
Celik, age 35, became depressed and started abusing drugs after witnessing his friend drown in Turkey during a fishing trip in August 2022. CCTV showed Celik storming into the shop, stabbing one barber in the leg, and attempting to stab another in the head.
The defense lawyer explained that in 2022, Celik went fishing with his son and a friend. His friend fell into the sea, and Celik tried to help him. Sadly, he watched his friend drown and felt immense guilt, leading to his drug problems.
The deceased friend owned the barbershop. Celik took responsibility for his actions. The lawyer noted the injuries were serious, and the situation could have been worse, making the attack terrifying for those present.
Celik admitted to two assault charges for an incident that took place on October 1, 2023. He attacked Ersin Bayraktar, slapping him, pushing him to the ground, and kicking him. Celik swung scissors at Bayraktar, punched him repeatedly, and stabbed him in the leg.
Celik also attacked Burhan Ucar, trying to punch Ucar’s head and attempting to strike him with scissors during the same incident.
The prosecutor said Celik visited the widow and then confronted the barbers, who were cutting customers’ hair. Celik was very angry about the shop’s display and seemed under the influence of drugs.
He demanded to know why they lacked photos and started throwing punches, hitting Bayraktar’s face and kicking him in the chest. Celik slashed at Ucar with scissors, causing one customer to flee in fear before stabbing Bayraktar’s leg.
Police arrested Celik nearby, and the sheriff confiscated his scissors. She placed him under supervision for three months. Celik must do unpaid work and pay compensation to both victims.