Seven admit violent disorder after Newport city centre clashes

Seven people have pleaded guilty to violent disorder over an outbreak of fighting in Newport city centre in August, a court heard.

The defendants — six adult men and a 17-year-old — admitted the charge at Cardiff Crown Court following an incident on Commercial Road in the Pill area on Friday, 1 August. Gwent Police were called to reports of men seen fighting and four men were taken to hospital after what prosecutors described at a previous hearing as "large-scale violent outbreaks" that followed a dispute between two families.

Prosecutors said the seven admitted using or threatening unlawful violence in the presence of others, causing those present to fear for their safety. The adults are all from Newport and the defendants named by the court were Mehmet Aksoy, 52; Mazhar Aksoy, 40; Murat Aksoy, 28; Burak Aksoy, 25; Savas Sayak, 33; Yagmur Sayak, 42; and Firat Sayak, 45. A 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also pleaded guilty.

All the adult defendants were remanded in custody. The youth defendant was released on bail and ordered not to attend Commercial Road. The court was told interpreters assisted the defendants during the hearing. All are due to be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court in November.

Gwent Police attended the scene on Commercial Road after emergency calls on 1 August. The force previously described multiple people being involved in the disorder and confirmed that four men were taken to hospital for treatment. Prosecutors said the disorder followed what began as a dispute between two families, prompting the large-scale disturbances.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the guilty pleas but did not immediately impose sentences; the November hearing will determine penalties and any further conditions. Police enquiries into the incident remain part of the ongoing legal process surrounding the August clashes.