Surrey Man Jailed for Machete Attack at Rochester Barber Shop

A barber shop owner and his nephew faced a scary attack at Havel Surchi in Rochester. Haval Wehab owned the shop, and Dealdi Ramadan Sadiq, his nephew, was there. On May 12, 2023, Cyrus Moses, wearing a balaclava, attacked them both. Police quickly closed off the street.

Moses had a weapon resembling a zombie knife or machete and went inside yelling. He threatened to kill everyone. He struck Mr. Wehab first, then attacked Mr. Ramadan Sadiq, who tried to help his uncle.

The court learned Mr. Wehab had bruises and cuts. His nephew suffered a stab wound that punctured his lung and cut his liver. He was flown to a London hospital, where doctors performed surgery. A pathologist said the wound could have been fatal without the surgery.

People at the scene held Moses until police arrived. He was 20 years old at the time. Five weeks earlier, he had a knife at Sutton train station, where someone had been stabbed during a robbery.

Cyrus Moses, now 22, received a lengthy sentence for attacking the barber shop staff. Although he claimed the victims insulted him and that he was collecting a drug debt, the judge couldn’t confirm his motive but stated he meant serious harm using a dangerous weapon.

The attack happened around 9:30 a.m. The prosecutor stated that Moses, with previous convictions for violence and knives, shouted he would kill everyone and had a brick and a machete. He chased Mr. Wehab outside.

The prosecutor, Mr. Ross, said, “Cyrus Moses said he would kill Mr. Wehab,” continuing that “He caught and hit him with the brick,” causing injuries to Mr. Wehab’s hands as he struggled and shouted for help.

Mr. Ramadan Sadiq ran outside after hearing his uncle scream, seeing Moses holding Mr. Wehab. Stepping in to help, The prosecutor said, “Cyrus Moses came at him with the machete,” aiming for his neck, but the machete hit his stomach.

Despite his wound, the nephew ran back inside and called for help. While waiting for the police, people held Moses down. Mr. Wehab told officers he feared death, saying “He was saying, ‘I’m going to kill you.’”

Mr. Wehab continued, “He grabbed me. I hadn’t seen him before.” “He chased me, saying, ‘Come here, I’m going to kill you.’” He stated he feared for his life, saying he was trying to defend himself.

Mr. Wehab grabbed him by the arms, but Moses kept threatening his life and hitting Mr. Wehab’s hands with a brick. Mr. Wehab also described being hit on the head with the machete until others came to assist him.

“We were fighting. I was trying to save my life,” stated Mr. Wehab, adding that he could have been killed. The court heard it affected him greatly, causing paranoia, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. His business suffered as well. As Mr. Wehab stated, customers feared coming in, and staff left.

“Life changed after the attack,” he said, “I lost my business. I have been in the UK for 23 years. I felt this was my home.” His nephew left the hospital after eight days, having recovered from the surgery, according to doctors. Police used cameras and located the car with fake plates that drove Moses there.

Moses was on trial in November, accused of attempted murder and causing serious harm. The jury didn’t reach a verdict, so he pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Moses, now 22, admitted possessing a knife involving the barber shop and train station but denied stabbing anyone at the station. The prosecution dropped that charge.

Moses spent almost two years in custody and missed his child’s birth The lawyer stated that he made progress in jail and had a difficult childhood, going into care at 16.

His lawyer said he was there for a drug debt. “Some words were spoken,” the lawyer said, adding, “He was spoken to badly.” The lawyer disputed the violence was revenge and said Moses didn’t have a brick.

The judge stated Moses is a danger and gave him a long sentence for public safety. He said the machete robs people of their lives, adding, “You used it intending serious injury.”

Moses got five years and three months in jail, and must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence. He only gets out when deemed safe and will have four more years of supervision.

The Judge praised Mr. Wehab and his nephew’s courage, saying they are respected in the community. The court recognized their suffering. Kelly Tolhurst, the MP, thanked those who helped them.

Detective Constable Amy Jeffrey said, “Moses is a dangerous offender, and it is right he is jailed. There is no place for violence.” She thanked the public for helping that day and those whose evidence led to his conviction.