Nottingham: Men sentenced after machetes wielded in city centre

Two men who wielded machetes in a city centre have been sentenced.

People wearing balaclavas were seen waving large knives outside the Nottingham Contemporary on 31 January, with police being called to Weekday Cross at about 12:30 GMT.

Jordan Bazuna, 19, and Jack Bolton, 18, previously admitted affray and threatening a person with a bladed article in a public place.

Bazuna was handed a 16-month sentence, and Bolton was given an 18-month term.

The pair were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

The judge said "members of the public were present and understandably seriously alarmed and distressed"

Half of their sentences will be served in detention at a young offenders institution and half on licence.

The court heard they were "wielding machetes and making slashing motions", but no-one was hurt.

Recorder David Bedenham said: "On 31 January 2024 just after midday you were part of a group of young men involved in an altercation."

'Petrifying and shocking'

He said the group were wielding machetes and threatening each other.

CCTV footage taken outside the Nottingham Contemporary was played in court showing masked youths brandishing knives before a member of the public stepped in, and the teenagers ran off.

The judge said: "Members of the public were present and understandably seriously alarmed and distressed."

He added: "Anyone watching the footage would conclude it was a petrifying and shocking scene."

The judge told the court he was alarmed to read in their probation reports that they both had frequently carried weapons before.

Bazuna, who was 18 at the time of the offence, of Constance Street, New Basford, and Bolton, of Parkdale Road, Bakersfield, were sent to a young offenders institution.

"An immediate custodial sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of what you have done," the judge said.