Black Country men jailed for armed violence during Kabaddi tournament massive brawl in Derby

Black Country men are among seven men jailed for almost 40 years after a massive brawl broke out at a Kabaddi tournament in Derby.

Shocking footage captured the moment shots were fired and men scrapped with weapons including machetes, axes and guns as rival gangs clashed at the sporting event in Alvaston, Derby.

Numerous people were injured when the violence erupted between the two groups last summer sending spectators and families running in terror.

A court heard multiple people were attacked by thugs wearing face masks and scarves around their faces while brandishing firearms, knives, swords and bats.

Officers were called to the site, off Elvaston Lane, just before 4pm on August 20 last year following reports of shots being fired and people fighting with weapons.

Seven people were later charged with a string of offences and were sentenced at Derby Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, November 11),

Parminder Singh, 25, from the West Midlands, was one of those who attended the pre-meeting and was captured on drone footage wearing a face covering and with his hood up. 

He was also seen to move towards a hedge between two fields, with police later locating a shoulder bag in the area which contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

His DNA was found on both the pistol and the bag. He was hit by a bullet in the groin during the brawl and had to have it removed during surgery at hospital.  

Singh was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a firearm following a trial and jailed for six and a half years.

Malkeet Singh, 24, of Wolverhampton, was part of the other group, and was also involved in the brawl.

He was also assaulted and suffered injuries to his head. He was convicted of violent disorder and jailed for three years.

Karamjit Singh, 36, of Derby, admitted possession of a bladed article and violent disorder and was caged for four and a half years.

Baljit Singh, 33, of Wolverhampton, admitted the same charges and was sentenced to three years and nine months.

Hardev Uppal, 34, of Tipton, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding. He was jailed for ten years and ten months.

Jagjit Singh, 31, of Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was caged for four and a half years.

Doodhnath Tripathi, 30, of Hounslow, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and wounding and was given a five years and ten month sentence. 

‘These men attended this event with the specific intention of causing trouble’

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, of Derbyshire Police, 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.”

‘A blatant disregard for the safety of others’

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.”