American Threatens Flatmate with Knife in Shoe Dispute

A Cardiff court heard how a dispute over shoes in a communal hallway escalated into a frightening knife incident in shared accommodation just before Christmas. 🏠⚖️

Shamar Nelson, 29, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to common assault and threatening a person with a bladed article.

The court heard that on December 23, Nelson became irate during an argument about shoes being left in the communal hallway of the shared accommodation in Cardiff where he lived with victim Khalid Alahmadi.

Prosecutor Alex Orndal detailed how Nelson pushed Mr Alahmadi with both hands, causing him to fall back and hit himself against a doorframe. When the victim attempted to record the incident, Nelson struck the phone from his hands before grabbing Mr Alahmadi by the shoulders and pushing him backwards.

The situation escalated dramatically when Nelson returned from his room with a black-handled kitchen knife, which he raised to shoulder height while shouting at Mr Alahmadi. The defendant only concealed the weapon behind his back after realising another resident was filming the confrontation.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Alahmadi said: “I was frightened and feared for my life. I thought he might stab me in that moment. I didn’t know what he was capable of doing. I’m scared to be living here with him and I’m scared for my own safety.”

The court heard that Nelson, originally from Baltimore, had moved to the UK seeking asylum after receiving threats. Defence counsel Mr Allchurch noted that Nelson had been diagnosed with PTSD, complex PTSD and depression.

Despite being of previous good character, Nelson did have a caution for battery following an incident at shared accommodation in London.

Judge Celia Hughes sentenced Nelson to 10 months imprisonment. He will serve five months in custody before being released on licence.