Ipswich kebab shop owner was threatened by rival boss with a knife who allegedly said “I’m going to kill you”, court told

Krazy Kitchen Cafe, Ipswich, which is owned by Amer El-Sadat who denies making a threat to kill Irfan Anwar (Image: Archant)

An Ipswich kebab shop owner thought he was going to die when his former boss burst in to the shop and tried to attack him with a knife, a court has heard.

Irfan Anwar who runs the Fresh Kebab shop in Upper Orwell Street was serving customers when Amer El-Sadat, who owns the Krazy Kitchen Cafe in the same street came in allegedly shouting threats, including: “Come outside. I’m going to kill you,” Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Mr Anwar told him to go away, but shortly afterwards El-Sadat re-entered the premises thorough a side door into the kitchen where he allegedly picked up a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade, alleged Daniel Taylor, prosecuting.

El-Sadat had then walked towards Mr Anwar who was still in the serving area allegedly shouting: “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you.”

In addition to threatening Mr Anwar El-Sadat had allegedly shouted obscenities at him and made racial comments, said Mr Taylor.

El-Sadat had then allegedly swung at Mr Anwar with the knife he was holding and caught the sleeve of his shirt.

Mr Anwar grabbed El-Sadat’s hands and was then allegedly butted in the face by him five or six times causing him to fall against a fridge, claimed Mr Taylor.

The alleged incident came to an end when El-Sadat’s brother pulled the men apart and Mr Anwar called the police.

Mr Anwar subsequently went to hospital where he was found to have a bruised finger, bruising to his arm and shoulder and scratch marks to his chest and neck.

El-Sadat, 49, of Wilson Marriage Road, Colchester, has denied making a threat to kill Mr Anwar on October 14 2015 and racially aggravated assault by beating.

Mr Taylor told the court that Mr Anwar had formerly worked for El-Sadat.

“They didn’t get on. There was a fall out about money,” said Mr Taylor.

Giving evidence Mr Anwar told the court he had previously worked for El-Sadat for three weeks and they had parted on bad terms.

He said he had been frightened during the alleged incident in his shop on Octiber 14 and thought El-Sadat was going to kill him.

Cross-examined by Gavin Capper for El-Sadat, Mr Anwar denied that El-Sadat had been arguing with someone else in the kitchen and it was Mr Anwar who had picked up the knife.

The trial continues today.