Usman Azam brandished a nine-inch bread knife during a confrontation in July 2021, leading to a suspended prison sentence and concerns over knife crime.
A recent road rage incident in Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent, has resulted in a suspended prison sentence for 31-year-old Usman Azam. The event, which took place in July 2021, involved Azam brandishing a nine-inch bread knife during an altercation on Milton Road.
According to evidence presented at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Azam’s confrontation began when he stopped his Vauxhall Zafira, leading to a Nissan Juke halting behind him. Following this, Azam exited his vehicle to engage the occupants of the Nissan. CCTV footage captured the alarming moment when he chased the passenger of the Juke while wielding the knife before returning to his own vehicle and driving away.
During the court proceedings, Azam pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place. The incident raised concerns about knife crime, a growing issue across the UK, as highlighted by Judge Graeme Smith during the sentencing. He remarked on the prevalence of knife-related offences, emphasising the seriousness of such actions and their potential consequences.
Judge Smith stated, “You stopped a Nissan Juke, got out to have words, and you produced a kitchen bread knife from your car and chased the occupant of the other vehicle away – just think if you’d gone on to use that knife, the sort of sentence you’d have today.” The judge added, “Think of the impact it would have had on your children and wife,” reminding Azam of the gravity of his actions.
Ultimately, Azam received a five-month prison sentence, which has been suspended for two years. Additionally, he has been mandated to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and perform 200 hours of unpaid work. Judge Smith acknowledged Azam’s good work ethic and family responsibilities, noting he has been married for two years and has six children who depend on him.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
2
Notes:
The incident occurred in July 2021, making the content outdated. However, the narrative does not appear to be recycled from older articles or press releases.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Judge Smith’s quotes are specific and contextually relevant to the case. Without access to the original court transcript, it is difficult to verify the exact wording of his statements. However, the quotes are plausible and consistent with judicial language.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Birmingham Mail, a reputable local news outlet. The information is likely based on court proceedings and official records, which generally enhance reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The details of the incident, including the use of a bread knife and the subsequent legal consequences, are plausible and consistent with known patterns of road rage incidents and legal responses to such crimes.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
While the content is outdated, the narrative is plausible and originates from a reliable source. The quotes are consistent with judicial language, though their exact wording cannot be verified without original transcripts.
