A Brighton man is set to stand trial accused of threatening someone with a pointed stick.
Sohail Shahin, 32, represented himself at a hearing at Lewes Crown Court this afternoon but declined to enter a plea to the single charge of threatening a person with an offensive weapon. As a result, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
The incident took place in Portland Road, Hove, on 10 May 2026. Shahin is alleged to have threatened Tony Pace, who runs a roofing company in the same road.
At today’s hearing, Shahin initially took part in discussions with Judge Amy Packham about trial admin, but after a short break declared he would only communicate in writing.
He later addressed Judge Packham to ask how to claim fees for attending court. Judge Packham told him no fees are available for defendants representing themselves, but if he is acquitted it may be possible for him to claim costs.
He also asked for reporting restrictions on the case, citing “ongoing legal matters he is not at liberty to discuss”. Judge Packham said as he was not giving any specific reason for requesting them, she had no power to make any.
A trial date was set for 13 March, 2028. Shahin, of Woodland Drive, Hove, was released on bail, with the conditions he does not contact directly or indirectly Tony Pace, Setareh Shahin, or to go to Portland Road between the junctions of Sackville Road and Rutland Road.
A trial date in March 2028???
Yeah, that’s the severity of the backlog caused by the Conservatives, bad isn’t it?
The Crown Court backlog has grown by roughly 7,000–9,000 cases (about 11%) since Labour took power. About 30% in Magistrates courts. Labour isn’t working. Cue cliches of ‘we inherited a broken system blah blah blah…
The mire of the judicial system has been happening for a long number of years. I seem to recall a certain lawyer with a flair complaining about It yet his actions did nothing to ameliorate it. It does not serve the interests of justice or Society to have such backlogs. Unfortunately there is no quick fix as there is a shortage of competent judges and a plethora of lawyers and defendants who play the system and prevaricated and frustrate at every opportunity.